[Campbell Biology P.96] Based on Figure 3.5, 'Temperatures for the Pacific Ocean and Southe... | Practice Question

Based on Figure 3.5, 'Temperatures for the Pacific Ocean and Southern California on an August day,' what is the primary reason for the significant temperature difference between coastal cities like Santa Barbara and inland cities like Palm Springs?

  • A: Inland cities have higher elevations, which naturally leads to warmer temperatures.
  • B: The Pacific Ocean's large volume and high specific heat capacity moderate coastal temperatures, keeping them cooler than inland areas.
  • C: Inland areas experience more direct solar radiation due to less cloud cover, leading to higher temperatures.
  • D: Ocean currents bring warm water to coastal areas, elevating their temperatures compared to inland regions.

Explanation

The passage explains that water's high specific heat allows large bodies of water like the Pacific Ocean to absorb and store huge amounts of heat from the sun during the day and summer, warming up only a few degrees. At night and during winter, this slowly cooling water warms the air. This moderating effect keeps coastal temperatures more stable and generally cooler in August than inland areas that lack such a large moderating water body.