Final answer:
The daily range of temperature is largely controlled by the amount of water vapor in the air, as it contributes to the greenhouse effect and regulates daily temperature fluctuations.
Step-by-step explanation:
An important control of the DAILY range of temperature is the amount of water vapor in the air. Water vapor is a potent greenhouse gas and plays a significant role in regulating the Earth's temperature by absorbing some of the infrared radiation emitted from the Earth's surface and re-emitting it, which provides a warming effect.
This feedback mechanism can influence daily temperatures by enhancing the greenhouse effect during the day and maintaining warmth at night by reducing the rate at which temperatures drop.
While other factors such as Earth's tilt, orbital patterns, and the composition of the atmosphere also have long-term influences on climate and weather patterns, the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere has a more immediate and significant impact on daily temperature fluctuations.