Why is it hotter by the equator?

Places near Earth's middle get more sun. It is hotter because sunlight shines straight down. The ground gets warm. Warm ground warms the air.

It is hotter by the equator because the Sun shines there more straight down. The sunlight lands in a small, strong patch, so it warms the ground and air more. Farther from the equator, the sunlight comes in slanty and spreads out. It is like a flashlight: a small bright spot feels stronger than a wide dim one.

The equator is an imaginary line around Earth’s middle. Places near it are hotter because sunlight hits them almost straight on all year. That energy is packed into a smaller area, so the ground and air warm up more. Near the poles, sunlight comes in at a slant and spreads out. Fun fact: near the equator, daytime and nighttime stay close to 12 hours each all year long.