Question

In winters, it is often warmer in San Francisco than in nearby Sacramento, 150 km inland. In summers, it is nearly always hotter in Sacramento. Explain how the bodies of water surrounding San Francisco moderate its extreme temperatures.

a) Bodies of water have no effect on temperature.

b) Water heats up faster than land.

c) Water cools down faster than land.

d) Water has a moderating effect on temperature.

Answer 1

The bodies of water surrounding San Francisco have a moderating effect on its extreme temperatures. Water heats and cools more slowly than land, so the presence of the ocean helps to regulate temperature changes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The bodies of water surrounding San Francisco have a moderating effect on its extreme temperatures. The bodies of water surrounding San Francisco have a moderating effect on its extreme temperatures. Water heats and cools more slowly than land, so the presence of the ocean helps to regulate temperature changes.

Water heats and cools more slowly than land, so the presence of the ocean helps to regulate temperature changes. In winters, the water in the ocean absorbs heat from the air, making San Francisco warmer than nearby Sacramento. In summers, the ocean releases heat back into the air, making Sacramento hotter.

This moderating effect is due to the high heat capacity of water, which allows it to absorb and release large amounts of heat.