explain how the lack of atmosphere moisture in california's mohave desert causes a large daily temperature range.
The heat capacity of water is quite large, meaning that relatively large amounts of energy are required to raise the temperature of water or to cool it. With very low amounts of moisture in the air, the air can heat up and cool down much faster (than if it had water in it); therefore, we would expect relatively large ranges in the temperature from day to night.
Agree with the answer above. "Heat capacity" can also be called "specific heat."
Well, in the Mojave Desert, the lack of atmosphere moisture is like having a really dry sense of humor - it just sucks all the moisture out of the air, leaving it feeling as dry as a stand-up comedy show in the middle of a desert.
Now, imagine this lack of moisture as a comedic effect on the temperature. During the day, the desert gets some intense solar radiation (imagine the sun trying to roast marshmallows). Without moisture in the atmosphere to capture and hold onto that heat, things can really heat up like a bad punchline.
But at night, without the moisture to hold onto any warmth, the desert cools down faster than the enthusiasm of an audience after a terrible joke. And voila, you have a large daily temperature range – it's almost like the weather in the Mojave Desert takes its inspiration from the unpredictable shifts between awkward laughter and cold silence at a comedy club.
So, to sum it all up, the lack of atmospheric moisture in California's Mojave Desert causes a large daily temperature range, turning the weather into a real rollercoaster ride of extreme heat during the day and chilly nights.
The lack of atmospheric moisture in California's Mojave Desert plays a significant role in causing a large daily temperature range. To understand why, let me explain the factors involved.
1. Absorption and Retention of Heat: Moisture in the atmosphere can absorb and retain heat. It acts as a buffer, preventing rapid temperature changes. In areas without significant atmospheric moisture, such as the Mojave Desert, there is less heat absorption and retention, leading to more pronounced temperature fluctuations.
2. Greenhouse Effect: Moisture in the atmosphere contributes to the greenhouse effect by trapping heat radiated from the Earth's surface. This helps to keep temperatures relatively stable. However, in a desert environment like the Mojave, the absence of moisture limits the greenhouse effect, making temperature fluctuations more pronounced.
3. Radiative Cooling: At night, when there is no sunlight, the ground radiates the heat it absorbed during the day back into space. In areas with high atmospheric moisture, the moisture acts as a blanket, trapping some heat and reducing the rate at which the ground loses heat. However, in the Mojave Desert, without significant atmospheric moisture, the ground cools down rapidly during the night, resulting in lower nighttime temperatures.
4. Dry Air's Low Specific Heat: Dry air has a lower specific heat, which means it can heat up and cool down more quickly compared to moist air. In the Mojave Desert, the lack of atmospheric moisture means that the air heats up quickly during the day as it interacts with the hot desert surface. Conversely, at night, the dry air cools down rapidly as it loses heat to the colder ground, resulting in significant temperature drops.
In summary, the absence of atmospheric moisture in California's Mojave Desert leads to a large daily temperature range due to the limited heat absorption and retention, reduced greenhouse effect, enhanced radiative cooling at night, and the low specific heat of dry air.