Final answer:
As you travel north from the equator, UV intensity decreases due to the slanted angle of Sun's rays and the protective role of the ozone layer which absorbs harmful UV radiation.
Step-by-step explanation:
As you travel north from the equator, the amount of UV intensity that you are exposed to will generally decrease. This is due to the angle at which the Sun's rays hit the Earth, which is more direct at the equator and becomes increasingly slanted as you move towards the poles.
UV-B radiation, which is particularly harmful to living organisms, is less intense at higher latitudes. Moreover, the stratospheric ozone layer plays a crucial role in absorbing harmful UV radiation, and any reduction in ozone levels can lead to higher levels of UV-B reaching the Earth's surface, with dangerous health implications such as skin cancer, cataracts, and damage to marine ecosystems.
The distance from the equator affects the angle at which sunlight reaches the Earth's surface. The closer you are to the equator, the more direct the sunlight is and the higher the UV intensity.
As you move further away from the equator, the angle of the sunlight decreases, resulting in lower UV intensity.