Question

Energy from the sun is transferred to Earth's surface. Some of that energy is then transferred to the air above the surface. The closer a location is to the equator, the more energy it receives from the sun. Therefore, a location's air temperature is affected by its distance from the equator.

Answer 1

Yes, you are correct. The closer a location is to the equator, the more energy it receives from the sun and therefore the warmer its air temperature will be. This is because the sun's rays hit the Earth's surface more directly near the equator, leading to more concentrated energy and heat. As you move away from the equator, the sun's rays hit the Earth's surface at a more oblique angle, leading to less concentrated energy and cooler temperatures. This is why tropical regions near the equator tend to be warmer and have more consistent temperatures throughout the year, while areas farther from the equator experience more seasonal temperature changes.