Insolation percentage received on Pole as compared to Equator is

Insolation percentage received on Pole as compared to Equator is approximately:

42 percent.
68 percent.
33 percent.
47 percent.
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UPSC Geoscientist – 2020
Due to the angle of the Earth’s tilt and the curvature of the Earth, the sun’s rays strike the poles at a much more oblique angle compared to the equator. This oblique angle means the solar radiation is spread over a larger area and passes through a thicker layer of the atmosphere, where it is absorbed, scattered, and reflected more significantly. On an annual average basis, the insolation received at the poles is significantly less than at the equator, typically around 30-40% of the equatorial value. 33% is a commonly cited approximation for the annual average insolation received at the poles compared to the equator.
The amount of solar radiation (insolation) received on the Earth’s surface varies geographically and seasonally due to factors like the angle of incidence of sunlight, atmospheric thickness, duration of daylight, and albedo.
While poles receive very low annual average insolation, they experience extreme seasonal variations, including periods of 24-hour daylight or darkness. The equator, in contrast, receives relatively consistent high levels of insolation throughout the year.
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