The graph above gives the land surface air temperatures and the sea surface water temperatures from 1950 to 2016. Global warming encompasses the changes in climate and temperature around the globe from the oceans to on land. However, when studying the warming of Earth's land and water temperatures, a difference between the two can be observed. From the graph, it can be seen along most of the graph that the water temperature of the sea's surface remained lower than that of the land's surface air temperature. What unique characteristic of water allows for this phenomenon to occur?
Responses
A water's heat of fusion
B water's conductivity of heat
C water's heat of vaporization
D water's specific heat capacity
D water's specific heat capacity
Water has a high specific heat capacity, meaning it can absorb and store a large amount of heat energy without a significant change in temperature. This characteristic allows it to heat up and cool down more slowly compared to land surfaces, resulting in sea surface water temperatures being generally lower than land surface air temperatures.