Book 18, Question 31 · Video
Why Is the Sun So Low and Weak Near the Poles?
The Sun is low and weak near the poles because its light hits the ground at a slant and spreads out thin! Even in summer, the Sun never climbs high. Let's shine a light on it.
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What Crafty Clover says in this video
Intro
Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why is the Sun so low and weak near the poles?
The Big Idea
The Sun is low and weak near the poles because its light hits the ground at a slant and spreads out thin! Even in summer, the Sun never climbs high. Let's shine a light on it.
Low in the Sky
Step one: low in the sky. Near the poles, the Sun sits low in the sky even in summer. It skims along the horizon.
More Air
Step two: more air. Low sunlight has to pass through more air before it reaches the ground. The air scatters and absorbs some of the light.
Spread Out
Step three: spread out. At a slant, the same light spreads over a larger area of ground. So each patch gets less warmth, and polar summers stay cool.
A Closer Look
Let's take a closer look! The Sun hangs low near the horizon. Its light passes through lots of air. It lands on the ground in a big, thin patch. So the summer feels cool, even though the Sun is out all day. A low Sun also makes very long shadows.
Quick Facts
Quick facts! Near the poles, summer temperatures often stay near or below freezing. A low Sun also makes very long shadows. Snow bounces back most of the light that does arrive. Never look straight at the Sun. Use a flashlight to model sunlight.
Think Like a Scientist
Now, think like a scientist! Shine a flashlight straight down on a table. Then shine it at a low angle. Which spot is brighter and smaller? The low angle spreads the light out!
Outro
Low sunlight spreads thin, so the poles stay cool. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!