What describes energy situation between polar regions (from 35°N to the North Pole and 35°S to the South Pole)?

• A. Surplus
• B. Deficit
• C. Balance
• D. No energy transfer

Answer: (B)

Latitudinal energy balance and heat transport explain this. The polar regions receive relatively little solar energy on average because the Sun is low in the sky and daylight is limited, while they emit energy to space and, with ice and snow, reflect a good portion of what does arrive. This creates a net energy deficit locally. To keep Earth’s climate in balance, heat must be moved from the warm tropics toward the poles via atmospheric circulation and ocean currents. Because this poleward transport exists, the polar regions end up in a deficit, not a surplus or a perfect balance, and not in a situation of no energy transfer.