Final answer:
The difference in temperature between the ocean and the sand is due to the specific heat capacities of water and sand. Water has a higher specific heat capacity and takes longer to heat up and cool down compared to land. Sea breezes also contribute to the temperature difference, with cool air moving toward the shore from the ocean during the day and reversing at night.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference in temperature between the ocean and the sand can be explained by the specific heat capacities of water and sand. Water has a higher specific heat capacity, which means it takes longer to heat up and cool down compared to land. This is why in the morning, when the Sun has not yet risen, the water in the ocean feels warmer than the sand on the beach. However, in the afternoon, when the land has absorbed more heat from the Sun, the water in the ocean feels cooler than the sand on the beach.
Sea breezes also play a role in the temperature difference. During the day, sea breezes occur, with cool air moving toward the shore from the ocean. This is more noticeable when the land temperature is highest and the air temperature above the water is coldest. At night, the breezes are reversed, moving from the land toward the ocean.
The specific heat capacity of water is about five times greater than that of sand. This property of water helps to moderate coastal climates and allows it to act as a coolant for machinery and a means for warm-blooded animals to disperse heat more evenly and maintain temperature in their bodies.