What causes the difference in the amount of sun's heat energy received by the North pole and the equator?
• the amount of surface area
• the rotation of Earth on its axis
• the motion of Earth through its orbit
• the distance of Earth from the Sun
The correct answer is the distance of Earth from the Sun.
The difference in the amount of heat energy received by the North pole and the equator is primarily caused by a combination of the following factors:
1. The Amount of Surface Area: The equator receives more solar energy because it spans a larger surface area than the North pole. Due to the Earth's spherical shape, the region around the equator covers a larger area compared to the polar regions.
2. The Rotation of Earth on its Axis: The rotation of the Earth on its axis causes the regions near the equator to receive more sunlight compared to the polar regions. This is because the regions around the equator are closer to the sun's rays and are exposed to sunlight for a longer duration as the Earth rotates.
3. The Motion of Earth through its Orbit: The Earth's orbit around the Sun is not a perfect circle but rather an ellipse. This means that the distance between the Earth and the Sun varies during the year. However, the difference in distance between the North pole and the equator is relatively small compared to the other factors mentioned.
4. The Distance of Earth from the Sun: While the distance between the North pole and the equator has a negligible impact on the difference in solar energy received, the distance of Earth from the Sun does affect the overall amount of solar energy received. The Earth is closest to the Sun during its elliptical orbit, resulting in slightly higher solar energy levels. However, this factor alone is not the primary cause of the difference between the North pole and the equator.