Answer:
Explanation:The most extreme radiation deficits occur at the poles, option b.
Radiation deficit refers to a situation where the amount of incoming solar radiation is less than the amount of outgoing radiation from the Earth's surface. This can happen due to various factors such as cloud cover, atmospheric conditions, and geographical location.
In this question, we are asked to identify where the most extreme radiation deficits occur. To determine the answer, let's analyze the given options:
a. Over deserts: Deserts generally receive a high amount of solar radiation due to their dry and cloud-free conditions. Therefore, extreme radiation deficits are less likely to occur over deserts.
b. At the poles: The poles, both the North Pole and the South Pole, experience extreme radiation deficits. This is because of their high latitudes, where the sun's angle is very low throughout the year. The polar regions receive less direct sunlight, and the sunlight that does reach the poles gets spread over a larger area due to the Earth's curvature. As a result, the poles experience a significant radiation deficit.
c. Along the equator: The equator receives the most direct sunlight and experiences high levels of solar radiation. Therefore, extreme radiation deficits are unlikely to occur along the equator.
d. In the mid-latitudes: The mid-latitudes, which include regions like Europe, North America, and Asia, experience a moderate amount of solar radiation. While they may experience some radiation deficits, they are not as extreme as those observed at the poles.
e. In the Southern Hemisphere: The Southern Hemisphere, as a whole, does not have extreme radiation deficits. It includes a range of latitudes and climates, and the radiation deficits in this region vary depending on the specific location.
In conclusion, based on the given options, the most extreme radiation deficits occur at the poles (option b) due to their high latitudes and low sun angles throughout the year.