The diurnal insolation patterns illustrated on this figure most closely resemble those from:
A)a polar location in the northern hemisphere
B)a mid-latitude location in the northern hemisphere
C)a subtropical location in the southern hemisphere
D)an equatorial location

Question

The diurnal insolation patterns illustrated on this figure most closely resemble those from: 
A)a polar location in the northern hemisphere 
B)a mid-latitude location in the northern hemisphere 
C)a subtropical location in the southern hemisphere 
D)an equatorial location

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The diurnal insolation patterns shown in the figure indicate that the location receives the most solar radiation at noon and the least at sunrise and sunset. This pattern is typical of mid-latitude locations in the northern hemisphere, where the sun's path is relatively high in the sky at noon and lower in the sky at sunrise and sunset. Polar locations would have much lower levels of insolation, while subtropical locations in the southern hemisphere would have a different pattern, with maximum insolation occurring in the afternoon. An equatorial location would have a more uniform distribution of insolation throughout the day, with little variation between dawn, noon, and dusk.

The Diurnal Insolation Patterns Illustrated on This Figure Most Closely