Why are temperature swings smaller over coastal lands than inland?
Answer to Problem 1RCQ
Temperature swings smaller over coastal lands than inland because specific heat capacity of water is greater than the specific heat capacity of rocks and soil.
Explanation of Solution
Land is mostly rock and soil. The specific heat capacity of water is greater than the specific heat capacity of rocks and soil. Consequently, ocean near the coastal lands requires more time to get heated and cooled than the inland.
Rocks and soil present in the inland are poor conductors of heat. Therefore, the solar radiation heats the surface above them. Whereas, in the coastal areas, solar radiation causes evaporation of ocean water and hence, gives the effect of cooling.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 24 Solutions
Conceptual Physical Science, Books a la Carte Plus Mastering Physics with Pearson eText -- Access Card Package (6th Edition)
Additional Science Textbook Solutions
Sears And Zemansky's University Physics With Modern Physics
Lecture- Tutorials for Introductory Astronomy
College Physics (10th Edition)
University Physics Volume 2
College Physics: A Strategic Approach (4th Edition)
Applied Physics (11th Edition)
- What is a convection cycle, and what are the related effects near a large body of water such as the ocean?arrow_forwardWhy does weather generally move from west to east in the conterminous United States?arrow_forwardWhich way, relative to the wind direction, does a wind vane (or weather vane) point and why?arrow_forward
- An Introduction to Physical SciencePhysicsISBN:9781305079137Author:James Shipman, Jerry D. Wilson, Charles A. Higgins, Omar TorresPublisher:Cengage Learning