Reasons why the mid-day sun never shines overhead on any latitude beyond the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn:
- Axial Tilt of the Earth:
- The Earth is tilted on its axis by approximately 23.5 degrees. This tilt causes the Sun's rays to be more concentrated towards the equator, resulting in the overhead sun never shining beyond the Tropics.
- Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn:
- The Tropic of Cancer is located at approximately 23.5 degrees north latitude, while the Tropic of Capricorn is located at approximately 23.5 degrees south latitude. These latitudes mark the farthest points where the Sun can be directly overhead at noon.
- Angle of Incidence:
- The angle at which the Sun's rays hit the Earth's surface becomes more oblique as you move away from the equator. This results in less concentrated sunlight and cooler temperatures at higher latitudes.
- Seasonal Changes:
- The tilt of the Earth's axis also causes changes in the seasons. As the Earth orbits around the Sun, different parts of the planet receive varying amounts of sunlight, leading to the changing seasons.
- Length of Daylight:
- Beyond the Tropics, the length of daylight hours varies significantly throughout the year. In polar regions, there are periods of continuous daylight in summer and continuous darkness in winter due to the Earth's axial tilt.
- Impact on Climate:
- The distribution of sunlight due to the Earth's tilt plays a crucial role in determining the climate and weather patterns across the globe. The tropics receive more direct sunlight, leading to warmer temperatures, while higher latitudes experience more variation and extremes in temperature.