Multiple choice

Temperature generally decreases towards the poles because

  1. Air movement is generally towards the equator

  2. Cold polar air masses prevent surface heating of the land

  3. Cold surfaces do not absorb solar energy as readily as warm surfaces

  4. Progressively lesser solar energy per unit area falls on the earth’s surface as we move to polar regions
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

 The declination of the sun in a year's time is 23 ½° + 23 ½° i.e. 47°. The two tropics (of Cancer and Capricorn) represent the farthest limits of the vertical rays of the Sun. As the angle of Sun’s rays decreases pole ward; the amount of insolation received also decreases in that direction.

Keep practicing — related questions