UPSC Prelims 2023 Question:

Consider the following statements

Statement-I: The temperature contrast between continents and oceans is greater during summer than in winter.

Statement-II: The specific heat of water is more than that of land surface.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Explanation:

• The temperature contrast between continents and oceans is greater during winter than in summer due to the differing thermal properties of land and water. During winter, landmasses cool down much more rapidly and to a greater extent than oceans. This is because land has a lower heat capacity and loses heat quickly, while oceans retain heat longer due to their higher heat capacity and thermal inertia​.
  
  
• In summer, although land heats up faster than oceans, the overall temperature difference between land and sea is less pronounced because the ocean’s large heat capacity moderates temperature changes, keeping coastal areas cooler compared to inland areas. This seasonal difference is influenced by the fact that land surfaces absorb and release heat more quickly than water, leading to greater temperature variability over continents compared to oceans. So, statement 1 is not correct.
  
  
• The specific heat capacity of water is much greater than the land because the relative density of water is much lower than that of the land surface. However, this is true throughout the year and not related to any particular season. So, statement 2 is correct.
  
  

Therefore, option (4) is the correct answer.

Subject: Geography | Fundamentals of Geography