Why does sand heat up the air around it faster than water?? I know this is a Science question, but no one is there (besides the askers).

Question

anonymous · Answer

options?

anonymous · Answer

There are none. I am supposed to explain how it works... :(

anonymous · Answer

Hint: it has to do with heat capacity.

anonymous · Answer

So sand has more heat capacity therefore it can release more heat at a time?

anonymous · Answer

Or water absorbs more heat than it radiates?? @SithsAndGiggles

anonymous · Answer

Water's specific heat capacity is 1.00 (whatever the units are), whereas sand is closer to about 0.19.

What this basically means is that water requires more energy for its temperature to increase by one degree than sand does.

anonymous · Answer

OH thanks!! I did not expect a huge explenation from a science question in the math group!