Question

Temperatures at high latitudes are usually lower than temperatures near the equator because _____.

oceans absorb the heat
they receive less energy from the sun
the Earth's surface is further from the sun
the solar energy must be spread over a larger area

Answer 1

the solar energy must be spread over a larger area

Answer 2

Temperatures at high latitudes are usually lower than temperatures near the equator because the solar energy must be spread over a larger area.

In the tropics, places near the equator, temperature is high because there is a net energy surplus. Net energy surplus occurs because the amount of sunlight absorbed is larger than the amount of heat radiated.

In the polar regions, places near the pole or high latitudes, temperature is low because there is an annual energy deficit. The annual energy deficit occurs because the amount of heat radiated to space is larger than the amount of absorbed sunlight.