The angle at which the sun strikes Earth causes the temperature difference on different parts of the Earth. The angle at which the sun's rays hit a particular location affects the amount of solar energy received. When the sun's rays strike a location directly overhead, the energy is concentrated over a smaller area, leading to higher temperatures. In contrast, when the sun's rays strike at an angle, the same amount of energy is spread over a larger area, resulting in lower temperatures. This is why the areas near the equator are generally warmer because the sun strikes them more directly, while the poles receive sunlight at a more oblique angle, causing them to be colder.