Which of the following explains why the temperature of land near water is different than inland?
A. Bodies of water reflect the sun, thus changing the temperature.
B. Land near water is at a higher altitude, so it is closer to the sun.
C. The air over the water affects the air and land nearby.
D. Water changes land temperatures where it touches the shoreline.
Your Wrong
The correct answer is C. The air over the water affects the air and land nearby.
The correct answer is C. The air over the water affects the air and land nearby.
The temperature difference between land near water and inland areas can be attributed to the influence of the air over the water. Here's an explanation:
The primary reason for the temperature difference is the physical properties of water. Water has a higher specific heat capacity compared to land, meaning it requires more energy to change its temperature. As a result, water takes longer to heat up and cool down compared to land.
During the day, when sunlight hits the water, a portion of the energy from the sun is absorbed by the water, causing it to warm up more slowly than the land. As a result, the air above the water remains cooler than the air over the land. When the wind blows from the water towards the land, it carries this cooler air, which then lowers the temperature of the land nearby.
Similarly, during the night, the land cools down more rapidly than the water. As a result, the air over the land becomes cooler. As the wind blows from the land towards the water, it carries this cooler air, which then lowers the temperature of the water nearby.
This phenomenon is often referred to as the "marine effect" or "coastal effect." It explains why coastal areas generally have milder and more moderate temperatures compared to inland areas, where there is no large body of water to influence the air temperature.
To find the correct answer, you would need to understand the concepts of specific heat capacity, the influence of sunlight on water and land, and the movement of air masses.