Seasonal Variations In Temperature

Question 1

Impact of the angle of the suns rays

Answer 1

Vertical at equator.
Insolation most intense at equator.
Poles receive much less energy, due to a lower angle.

Question 2

Thickness of the atmosphere

Answer 2

W/ high latitudes the atmosphere gets thicker.
Absorption, Scattering, Reflection, all reduce radiation received.
If latitudes was only influence on temp, world would be hottest at equator, coolest at poles.

Question 3

Length of daylight ands seasons:

Answer 3

Latitude heavily influences daylight.
E.g. Equator=12/12 hour spilt day to night.
N.Pole sees 6months continuous daylight.
Opposite is true for S.pole.

Question 4

How the suns position changes by date:

Answer 4

Summer is the warmest period as the angle of the sun is highest.
Least atmosphere for radiation to travel through.