Final answer:
The ocean heats up and cools down slowly due to its high specific heat capacity. Hotter than average water is often in tropical regions or where warm currents flow, while much cooler water is typically found in polar regions.
Step-by-step explanation:
It's important to understand that the ocean has a large thermal inertia due to its high specific heat capacity, meaning it heats up and cools down very slowly. Therefore, the ocean can either be hotter or cooler than the average air temperature depending on the season and location.
Water that is much hotter than average can often be found in tropical regions where sunlight is most direct and in areas where oceanic currents bring warm water from the equator towards the poles. Conversely, water that is much cooler than average is typically found in polar regions, where there is less direct sunlight, and in areas where cold currents circulate polar waters towards the equator.
The high specific heat of water means that coastal climates are more moderate, while inland climates can experience greater temperature extremes. Additionally, due to its high heat capacity, water is a key factor in stabilizing the Earth's climate by absorbing heat during warm periods and releasing it during cooler periods.