Question

Explain how latitude determines the amount of solar energy received on Earth.
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1 point
the more focused the rays are towards the equator, the more energy the Earth receives
at the poles there is more energy due to the latitude
the more spread out the rays are like at higher latitudes, the more energy the Earth receives

Answer 1

Correct choice: "the more focused the rays are towards the equator, the more energy the Earth receives."

Explanation: sunlight arriving near the equator strikes the surface at a steeper (more direct) angle, so the same amount of solar energy is concentrated on a smaller surface area — more energy per unit area. At higher latitudes (toward the poles) sunlight arrives at a shallower angle, so it is spread over a larger area and travels through more atmosphere (more scattering and absorption), so less energy reaches the ground. Earth's axial tilt also changes the angle and day length through the year, producing seasons. The other two statements are incorrect (the poles do not get more energy; spread-out rays give less energy, not more).