In Summer, Why is the Air Around a Large Body

Question

In summer, why is the air around a large body of water cooler than nearby inland areas?
A) Water temperature changes slowly in response to solar irradiation when compared to the rate of temperature change of land surfaces.
B) Water temperature isn't affected by solar irradiation, whereas the temperature of land surfaces is affected.
C) It's not actually cooler; the breezes associated with the water only make it seem cooler.
D) Air molecules are farther away from each other over water, so they do not generate as much heat.

Accepted Answer

Water has a high specific heat capacity, which means it takes a lot of energy to change its temperature. As a result, water temperature changes slowly in response to solar irradiation when compared to the rate of temperature change of land surfaces. This means that during the day, the land heats up more quickly and to higher temperatures than the water, and at night the land cools down more quickly and to lower temperatures than the water. The temperature difference between the land and water creates a breeze which can make the air seem cooler around the water.