Ask Tappity: Science Questions for Kids > Why Are The Poles So Cold?
Why Are The Poles So Cold?
The North and South Poles are covered in ice all year. Why are they so cold? Watch this video to find out, or read our explanation below!
It’s Not Because They’re Farther From the Sun
A common misconception is that the North and South Pole are farther from the Sun, so less of the Sun’s warmth reaches them, and that accounts for their cold weather. While it’s technically true that the Poles are farther from the Sun than the rest of the planet, that distance is miniscule compared to the distance between the Earth and the Sun. If the Earth were a golf ball, the Sun would be a giant 14-foot-wide ball nearly 1-and-a-half football fields away. At the scale of the solar system, the difference between the equator and the Poles is meaningless!
It’s All About the Angle
At the equator, the rays of the Sun strike the Earth head-on, meaning a lot of their heat is transferred to the Earth. At the Poles, they only ever strike at an angle. Try this: shine a flashlight at the center of a basketball, and then move the beam up towards the top. As it rises, you’ll see the circle of light become larger and larger, as the light gets more spread out. That’s a lot like what’s happening with the North and South Poles!
But Wait, There’s More!
There’s a few other things that contribute to the freezing Poles. The Sun’s light has to travel through more of the atmosphere to get there - sort of like how a cloudy day is colder than when the Sun is out. Also, in winter, the Sun never even rises for months at a time. Finally, the snow and ice covering the landscape reflects a lot of the Sun’s light.
North and South Pole Facts for Kids
Got questions about the poles? We’ve got answers!
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The South Pole is generally colder than the North Pole. One big reason for this is just that the South Pole is a lot higher than the North Pole - it's a mountainous continent around 9,000 feet above sea level. The North Pole, on the other hand, is a giant sheet of ice resting on top of the ocean.
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Antarctica is the coldest continent on Earth, but the coldest temperature ever recorded wasn’t recorded at the South Pole. The coldest temperature ever recorded was -89.6°C (-129°F) at Vostok Station, also in Antarctica, in 1983.
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Cold air can irritate your airway, but there’s nowhere on Earth cold enough to actually freeze your lungs. Your body is just too good at keeping them warm - the rest of you will freeze long before your lungs ever do.
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No country claims ownership of Antarctica. Instead, it’s governed by an international partnership called the Antarctic Treaty, signed in 1959.
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No humans live permanently in Antarctica. There are permanent settlements, where scientists conduct research. The staff of those settlements rotates out, typically staying for 3-6 months, up to a maximum of 15 months.
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