Final answer:
Different latitudes experience varying temperatures due to the angle at which sunlight strikes the Earth's surface and how this affects the intensity of light. Near the poles, the low angle and spread-out sunlight result in colder temperatures, while at the equator, more direct sunlight leads to warmth. The Earth's tilt also contributes to seasonal temperature changes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding why different latitudes on Earth have different temperatures involves knowledge about how the intensity of sunlight and its angle of incidence affect temperature. At higher latitudes, such as near the North and South Poles, sunlight strikes the Earth at a more oblique angle, spreading the energy over a larger area, and thus, reducing its intensity per unit area, leading to colder temperatures. Conversely, at the equator, sunlight strikes the Earth more directly, concentrating the energy in a smaller area, which results in higher temperatures. Additionally, the Earth's axis is tilted, causing variations in the angle of direct sunlight and, therefore, the seasons.
Regarding the decrease in light intensity as a function of distance, this concept can be illustrated by the inverse square law of light intensity. If the intensity of light at the source is Io, at a distance where the intensity reduces by a factor of nine, the distance from the source would be three times the original distance, assuming a point source of light.