Question

tara goes to the beach during the summertime. one morning she wades into the ocean before the sun has risen and notices that the water in the ocean feels warmer than the sand on the beach. in the afternoon of the same day, she wades back into the ocean and observes that now the water in the ocean feels cooler than the sand on the beach. which of the following best explains the difference in temperature between the ocean and the sand? a. water heats up at a slower rate than land, but cools down at a faster rate. b. water heats up at a faster rate than land, but cools down at a slower rate. c. water both heats up and cools down at a slower rate than land. d. water both heats up and cools down at a faster rate than land.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze the thermal properties of water and land (sand). Water has a higher specific heat capacity than sand. This means it takes more energy to change the temperature of water. So, water heats up slower than land (sand) during the day (when the Sun heats them) and also cools down slower than land at night (or as the day progresses to afternoon, when land heats up faster and then, later, cools? Wait, in the morning before sunrise, the ocean is warmer (so land cooled faster overnight). In the afternoon, sand is warmer (so land heated faster during the day). So water both heats and cools at a slower rate than land. Let's check the options:

• Option A: Says water cools faster. But we know water cools slower. Eliminate.
• Option B: Says water heats faster. No, water heats slower. Eliminate.
• Option C: Says water heats and cools slower than land. This matches the specific heat concept. In the morning, after cooling overnight, water (ocean) is warmer (since it cooled slower than sand). In the afternoon, after heating during the day, sand is warmer (since it heated faster than water). So this makes sense.
• Option D: Says water heats and cools faster. No, opposite of reality. Eliminate.

Answer:

C. Water both heats up and cools down at a slower rate than land.