what causes the sunlight to hit different latitudes on Earth at different angles?
a. the Sun’s rate of burning fuel
b. the Sun’s distance from earth
c. the Earth’s tilt on its axis
d. the Earth’s speed of rotation
c. the Earth’s tilt on its axis
The answer is c. the Earth’s tilt on its axis.
The sunlight hitting different latitudes on Earth at different angles is primarily caused by the Earth's tilt on its axis. The Earth is tilted at an angle of approximately 23.5 degrees with respect to its orbit around the Sun. This tilt causes the angle at which sunlight reaches different parts of the Earth to vary throughout the year, resulting in the changing seasons.
During summer in the Northern Hemisphere, for example, the North Pole is tilted towards the Sun, so sunlight hits the Northern Hemisphere at a more direct angle, resulting in longer days and warmer temperatures. Conversely, during winter in the Northern Hemisphere, the North Pole is tilted away from the Sun, causing sunlight to hit the Northern Hemisphere at a more oblique angle, resulting in shorter days and cooler temperatures.
The Sun’s rate of burning fuel, the Sun’s distance from Earth, and the Earth’s speed of rotation do not directly influence the angle at which sunlight hits different latitudes.