Final answer:
The North Pole is colder than the equator because of Earth's axis tilt, which leads to less direct sunlight and more reflected solar energy due to the high albedo of the polar ice caps.
Step-by-step explanation:
The North Pole is colder than a point on the equator primarily due to the Earth's axis tilt. The 23.5° tilt of the Earth's axis causes different parts of the Earth to receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year.
When the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun, it experiences winter, and the polar regions, like the North Pole, receive very little direct sunlight. Conversely, the equator receives relatively consistent and direct sunlight throughout the year, leading to its warmer temperatures.
The North Pole remains cold even during its summer when it is illuminated by the Sun 24 hours per day because the Sun's rays strike at a lower angle, resulting in less solar energy being absorbed and most of it being reflected away. Moreover, the presence of polar ice caps also contributes to the colder temperatures due to high albedo, which leads to more sunlight being reflected rather than absorbed.