Why are tropical regions warmer than temperate regions?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Question restated: Why are tropical regions warmer than temperate regions?
Option 1: 'The Earth spins the atmosphere such that heat gets trapped near the equator.' This hints at the general idea of heat distribution but is misleading. The rotation of the Earth causes the Coriolis effect and wind patterns, not a simple trapping mechanism that explains the tropical warmth by itself.
Option 2: 'There is a lot of rain in the tropics, and wet areas tend to be warmer than when compared to dry areas.' High rainfall and humidity are common in the tropics, but humidity alone does not inherently raise the average solar heating; it affects how heat is perceived (feels hotter) and how heat is redistributed, but it isn’t the primary reason for higher temperatures.
Option 3: 'There are fewer clouds in tropical areas than when compared to temperate regions.' In reality, tropical regions typically feature substantial cloud cover, convection, and frequent rain, not fewer clouds, so this statement inaccurately characterizes tropical weather and would not explain the observed warmth.
Option 4: 'The tropics receive less solar energy per unit area because sunlight has more atmosphere in which it must travel to reach the surface.' This contradicts the core explanation: sunlight in the tropics generally strikes more directly (near perpendicular), not at greater atmospheric distance, so this option is factually incorrect regarding solar input.
Option 5: 'The tropics receive more solar energy per unit area because sunlight strike the earth at a near perpendicular angle to the surface of the earth' This option correctly identifies that a near-perpendicular (high sun) incidence results in more concentrated solar energy per unit area, which is the primary driver of the consistently higher temperatures in tropical regions.

Why are tropical regions warmer than temperate regions?

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

Incoming solar radiation received at the top of the atmosphere varies with latitude due to

Based on Figure 3, a beam of sunlight covers a __________________ area over higher latitudes than near the Equator.

Why are tropical regions warmer than temperate regions?

Where does the largest input of solar energy occur?

Where does the largest input of solar energy occur?

Over the oceans, where do the highest annual values for insolation occur?

his location receives the LEAST insolation because …

For this question you will need to use 4CE Figure 2.9, “Daily insolation received at the top of the atmosphere,” p. 50 (3CE, Figure 2-10, p. 48). The dashed vertical lines represent Sept 21, June 21, Mar 21 and Dec 21 Which location receives the most insolation on DECEMBER 21?

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler