/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 6 Why do large bodies of water exe... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

91Ó°ÊÓ

Why do large bodies of water exert a temperature-moderating effect on their surroundings?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Large bodies of water exert a temperature-moderating effect on their surroundings due to their high specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity. These properties allow water bodies to absorb and store a significant amount of heat from their surroundings during the day, and release this stored heat back to the surroundings during the night, resulting in milder temperatures.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the Properties of Water

First, we need to understand that water has high thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity. This means water can absorb and store a significant amount of heat energy without a significant increase in its temperature. That's why water bodies take longer to heat up or cool down compared to the land around them.
02

Understanding Heat Exchange Between Water and Land

Due to the properties highlighted in the previous step, during the day when the land heats up, the excess heat is transferred from the land to the water bodies, thus cooling the surrounding land. Similarly, at night when the land cools down faster, the heat stored in the water is released to the surrounding land, thereby heating it up.
03

The Effects on Climate

The temperature-moderating effect of large water bodies can have a significant impact on the local climate. Regions near large bodies of water tend to have milder temperatures year-round, with less dramatic temperature swings between day and night or between seasons. This effect is more profound in coastal regions and islands.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

A blue giant star whose surface temperature is 23 kK radiates energy at the rate of \(3.4 \times 10^{30} \mathrm{W}\). Find the star's radius, assuming it bchaves like a blackbody.

You arrive for a party on a night when it's \(8^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) outside. Your hosts meet you at the door and say the party may need to be cancelled, because the heating system has failed and they don't want to discomfort their guests. You say, "Not so fast!" A total of 36 people are expected, the average power output of a human body is \(100 \mathrm{W},\) and the house loses energy at the rate \(320 \mathrm{W} / \mathrm{C} .\) Will the house remain comfortable?

Find the \(\mathcal{R}\) -factor for a wall that loses 0.040 Btu each hour through each square foot for each \(^{\circ} \mathrm{F}\) temperature difference.

Your young niece complains that her cocoa, at \(90^{\circ} \mathrm{C},\) is too hot. You pour 2 oz of milk at \(3^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) into the 6 oz of cocoa. Assuming milk and cocoa have the same specific heat as water, what's the cocoa's new temperature?

A more realistic approach to the solar greenhouse of Example 16.7 considers the time dependence of the solar input. A function that approximates the solar input is \(\left(40 \mathrm{Btu} / \mathrm{h} / \mathrm{ft}^{2}\right) \sin ^{2}(\pi t / 24)\) where \(t\) is the time in hours, with \(t=0\) at midnight. Then the greenhouse is no longer in energy balance, but is described instead by the differential form of Equation 16.3 with \(Q\) the timevarying energy input. Use computer software or a calculator with differential-equation-solving capability to find the time-dependent temperature of the greenhouse, and determine the maximum and minimum temperatures. Assume the same numbers as in Example 16.7 , along with a heat capacity \(C=1500 \mathrm{Btu} /^{\circ} \mathrm{F}\) for the greenhouse. You can assume any reasonable value for the initial temperature, and after a few days your greenhouse temperature should settle into a steady oscillation independent of the initial value.

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.