AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -One of water’s most significant properties is that it takes a lot of energy to heat it. Precisely, water has to absorb 4, 184 Joules of heat (1 calorie) for the temperature of one kilogram of water to increase 1°C. For comparison sake, it only takes 385 Joules of heat to raise 1 kilogram of copper 1°C.

Detailed explanation-2: -Water’s high heat capacity is a property caused by hydrogen bonding among water molecules. When heat is absorbed, hydrogen bonds are broken and water molecules can move freely. When the temperature of water decreases, the hydrogen bonds are formed and release a considerable amount of energy.

Detailed explanation-3: -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.