Compared to the Air Above a Nearby Land Mass, How

Question

Compared to the air above a nearby land mass, how would the air above a large body of water be?
A) cooler in winter
B) warmer in summer
C) cooler in summer
D) the same, unless wind is blowing

Accepted Answer

The air above a large body of water would be cooler in the summer compared to the air above a nearby land mass because water has a higher specific heat capacity than land, meaning it takes longer to heat up and cool down. As a result, the water retains more of the coolness from the winter months into the summer months, keeping the air above it cooler. This is known as the maritime effect. The other choices are incorrect because they do not match the expected result.