why is the temperature higher at the equator than at poles?

 

why is the temperature higher at the equator than
at poles?

There is a misconception that the equator is warmer

than the poles because it is closer to the sun than

the poles. But that is not true, sunlight hits the equator

directly(vertical)such that the sun's rays are

concentrated most days of the year. Unlike the north

and south pole where the sunlight falls indirect making

those places the coldest due to the spherical shape of  Earth. Also, 

ice and snow at the poles reflect back to space some 

of the sun's energy that reaches the earth

while sunshine is absorbed to heat the earth at the

equator. In addition, sunlight that is warming the

equator has to travel through the least amount of

atmosphere to reach it and thus is much effective.

 

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