Question

Explain with a diagram, the effect of the spherical shape of the earth on the temperature at different latitudes.

Answer 1

1. Sunrays travel in a straight line and are parallel to each other.
2. Due to the spherical shape of the earth and the resultant curvature of the surface of the earth, the sunrays occupy larger or lesser areas in different parts of the earth.
3. This leads to unequal distribution of heat received from the sun, which results in decreasing temperature from the equator to the North and the South poles.
4. Based on this distribution of temperature, the earth is divided into three zones:
   1. Torrid zone (between 0° and 23°30', North and South), 
   2. Temperate zone (between 23°30' and 66°30' North and South) and 
   3. Frigid zone (between 66°30' and 90°, North and South).

Thermal Zones