Question

A student claims that since water has a high specific heat, areas near the ocean are always colder than areas away from the ocean. Do you agree with his reasoning? Explain your position.

Answer 1

good question!

Answer 2

@Marybeth_05 Move to chemistry or physics for a much better answer. However, no. specific heat is measure of capacity. Specifically, amount of heat energy per unit mass required to raise the substance 1 degree Celsius.

Answer 3

fresh water has highest specific heat capacity
areas near ocean have saltwater which has less specific heat capacity
thus fresh water holds heat more then salt water
thats why its cold

Answer 4

@Sony The specific heat capacity only provides the potential. If there was zero heat energy hitting the planet, then it wouldn't matter for either fresh or saltwater. Specific heat alone cannot explain the temps.

Answer 5

@mrdoldum lol im Somy
and well you are right, but if we take 1 specific temp for both and compare, fresh water would hold heat more then saltwater

Answer 6

im not really familiar with this so i might be wrong :) @mrdoldum

Answer 7

@Somy Sorry for the name mix up. And @Sony, sorry for the tag.

I think the question wants to get at the fact that it is not as simple as the specific heat. Oceans lack structures like hills, tree, etc and wind can therefore move unabated. Additionally, currents play a huge role in temps. It is thought that alterations in the Atlantic currents played a major role in Europe's little ice age.

Answer 8

mmm i see :) not much idea about that :D @mrdoldum thnx <3

Answer 9

@Somy If you are interested:

http://www.whoi.edu/main/topic/ice-ages-past-climates