Water tends to moderate climate. Why is it warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer in cities located near the ocean or large lakes?
A
Water has a low specific heat and therefore changes temperature faster than most other substances.
B
Water has a low specific heat and therefore changes temperature slower than most other substances.
C
Water has a high specific heat and therefore changes temperature more slowly than most other substances.
D
Water has a high specific heat and therefore changes temperature more quickly than most other substances.
C
Water has a high specific heat and therefore changes temperature more slowly than most other substances.
C
Water has a high specific heat and therefore changes temperature more slowly than most other substances.
The correct answer is C: Water has a high specific heat and therefore changes temperature more slowly than most other substances.
When it comes to moderating climate, water plays an important role due to its high specific heat capacity. Specific heat refers to the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a given substance by a certain amount. Water has a relatively high specific heat capacity compared to other substances, meaning it can absorb a significant amount of heat energy without experiencing a large change in temperature.
In the context of cities located near the ocean or large lakes, this high specific heat capacity of water helps regulate temperature. During the summer, when land heats up, the nearby bodies of water absorb heat from the atmosphere. As a result, the water temperature increases, but not as quickly as the land temperature does. This prevents the adjacent cities from becoming excessively hot.
On the other hand, during the winter, the land cools down rapidly while the water retains its heat due to its high specific heat capacity. As a result, the water acts as a heat source, releasing warmth to the surrounding environment and moderating the temperature in the nearby cities. This phenomenon helps prevent extreme cold temperatures in those areas.
Therefore, the high specific heat capacity of water allows it to absorb and release heat energy more slowly than most substances, providing a moderating effect on the climate in cities located near the ocean or large lakes.