Question

introduction: in the following activity, you will explore how sunlight strikes earths surface at different latitudes. the energy from the heat lamp represents the energy of the sun. each of the three thermometers represents different locations (latitudes) on earth. these locations include high latitudes (closer to the poles), mid - latitudes (new york state), and low latitudes (closer to the equator).
questions:

1. how does latitude influence a locations climate?
2. why is the climate at higher latitudes different than the climate at lower latitudes?

definitions:
latitude: ______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
direct sunlight: ______________________
______________________
______________________
indirect sunlight: ______________________
______________________

Explanation:

Latitude is the angular distance of a place north or south of the earth's equator. Direct sunlight is sunlight that hits the Earth's surface at a more perpendicular (90 - degree) angle. Indirect sunlight hits the Earth's surface at a more oblique (less than 90 - degree) angle.

For question 1: Latitude influences a location's climate because it determines the angle at which sunlight strikes the Earth. Lower latitudes (near the equator) receive more direct sunlight (higher intensity, more energy per unit area), leading to warmer climates. Higher latitudes receive more indirect sunlight (lower intensity, less energy per unit area), leading to cooler climates.

For question 2: The climate at higher latitudes is different than at lower latitudes because of the angle of sunlight. At higher latitudes, the sun's rays are spread over a larger area (due to the oblique angle), so there is less energy to warm the surface. At lower latitudes, the sun's rays are more concentrated (due to the more perpendicular angle), providing more energy to warm the surface.

Answer:

Latitude: The angular distance of a place north or south of the earth's equator.
Direct sunlight: Sunlight that hits the Earth's surface at a more perpendicular (90 - degree) angle.
Indirect sunlight: Sunlight that hits the Earth's surface at a more oblique (less than 90 - degree) angle.

1. Latitude influences a location's climate as lower latitudes get more direct sunlight (warmer) and higher latitudes get more indirect sunlight (cooler).
2. The climate at higher latitudes is different as sunlight is more oblique (spread over larger area, less warming energy) compared to lower latitudes (more perpendicular, more concentrated warming energy).