The main reason polar regions are cooler than the equator is that ________.
A) solar radiation strikes the poles at a lower angle and travels through more atmosphere
B) the poles are farther from the sun than is the equator
C) the polar atmosphere is thinner and contains fewer greenhouse gases
D) the poles are permanently tilted away from the sun

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Solar radiation strikes the poles at a lower angle, spreading the energy over a larger area, and travels through more of the Earth's atmosphere, which scatters some of the energy before it reaches the surface. This results in less solar energy being absorbed per unit area at the poles compared to the equator, making the polar regions cooler.

The Main Reason Polar Regions Are Cooler Than the Equator