Temperature generally decreases towards the poles because ________

A. Air movement is generally towards the. equator

B. Cold polar air masses prevent surface heating of the land

C. Cold surfaces do not absorb solar energy as readily as warm surfaces

D. Progressively lesser solar energy per unit area falls on the earth's surface as we move to polar regions

Answer: Option D

Solution(By Examveda Team)

Temperature generally decreases towards the poles because progressively lesser solar energy per unit area falls on the earth's surface as we move to polar regions. Longer the path of the sun’s rays, greater is the amount of reflection and absorption of heat by the atmosphere. As a result, the intensity of insolation is less.