Final answer:
The angle at which sunlight, or insolation, hits the Earth affects temperature by delivering more direct and intense solar energy when the angle is steeper, typically leading to warmer conditions, compared to when the angle is more oblique, resulting in cooler temperatures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The angle of insolation significantly influences the temperature of a location. The more direct the sunlight, the warmer the location tends to be. A steeper angle of insolation, as experienced in summer, means sunlight hits the Earth more directly and intensely, resulting in higher temperatures. During winter, the sun's rays strike at a more oblique angle, leading to diluted heating effects and cooler temperatures.
Insolation varies due to several factors including latitude, time of year, and cloud coverage. Locations at higher latitudes receive sunlight at a lower angle, reducing the intensity of the heating. Weather patterns and cloudiness also impact insolation; for instance, an average insolation of about 200 W/m² is typical for many regions. When the sun is higher in the sky, as in summer, the concentration of solar energy is greater, heating the Earth's surface more effectively, similar to a flashlight shone directly onto a wall versus at an angle.
For example, during summer, the sun is high in the sky, and the rays hit the Earth's surface at a direct angle, providing more heat. This is why summers are generally hotter. In contrast, during winter, the sun is lower in the sky, and the rays are spread out, resulting in less heat and colder temperatures.