What causes the difference in the amount of sun's heat energy received by the North pole and the equator? A. the amount of surface area. B. the distance of Earth from the Sun. C. the motion of Earth through its orbit. D. the rotation of Earth on its axis.

Answer 1

The primary reason for the difference in the amount of the Sun's heat energy received by the North Pole and the equator is A. the amount of surface area.

At the equator, sunlight strikes the Earth's surface more directly and concentrated due to its perpendicular angle. In contrast, at the poles, sunlight strikes at a much sharper angle, spreading the same amount of energy over a larger area, which results in less heat being received per unit area.

While the other options can influence various climatic factors, the direct cause of the difference in solar energy concentration is linked to how sunlight is distributed over the Earth's surface area.