Question

With decreasing angle of incidence, the amount of energy recieved by the surface _____.

• A. increases
• B. decreases
• C. remains constant
• D. first increases and then decreases

Answer 1

The correct option is B decreases

When the sun’s rays strike Earth’s surface near the equator, the incoming solar radiation is more direct (nearly perpendicular or closer to a 90˚ angle). Therefore, the solar radiation is concentrated over a smaller surface area, causing warmer temperatures. At higher latitudes, the angle of solar radiation is smaller, causing energy to be spread over a larger area of the surface and cooler temperatures.