AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Since land absorbs more solar radiation the land surface retains more heat as do the vegetation for energy. Thus, land surfaces warm more quickly than water.

Detailed explanation-2: -Because water has a much higher heat capacity, or specific heat, than do sands, soils or other materials, for a given amount of solar irradiation (insolation), water temperature will increase less than land temperature.

Detailed explanation-3: -Heat capacity Simple physics suggests that when you put more heat into the climate system, land should warm more quickly than oceans. This is because land has a smaller “heat capacity” than water, which means it needs less heat to raise its temperature.

Detailed explanation-4: -Land is made up of dense matter. Land is stable and opaque. As a result, heat is transferred at a greater speed and in a higher proportion. Hence, land gets heated quickly when compared to water.