How does increasing the angle of sunlight affect energy input per area?

How does increasing the angle of sunlight affect energy input per area?

• A. Sun angle does not affect energy input.
• B. Energy input is the same at any angle.
• C. A higher sun angle leads to more energy per area (warmer).
• D. A higher sun angle leads to less energy per area (cooler).

Answer: (C)

When sunlight hits a surface, how directly the rays strike matters. A higher sun angle means the rays are more vertical, so the energy is concentrated on a smaller area. That increases the energy per unit area and makes the surface feel warmer. If the sun is lower in the sky, the rays hit more obliquely and spread over a larger area, reducing energy per area and making it feel cooler. So increasing the sun angle increases energy input per area, leading to warmer conditions.

When sunlight hits a surface, how directly the rays strike matters. A higher sun angle means the rays are more vertical, so the energy is concentrated on a smaller area. That increases the energy per unit area and makes the surface feel warmer. If the sun is lower in the sky, the rays hit more obliquely and spread over a larger area, reducing energy per area and making it feel cooler. So increasing the sun angle increases energy input per area, leading to warmer conditions.