Final answer:
Continents warm and cool faster than water because land has a lower specific heat capacity than water. This results in more moderate coastal climates and significant temperature fluctuations inland. Oceans and lakes change temperature slowly due to their greater heat capacity and influence global climate.
Step-by-step explanation:
Continents warm and cool faster than water. This is due to the difference in specific heat capacity between land and water. Water has a much higher specific heat capacity, meaning it requires more energy to change its temperature compared to land. For example, water's specific heat capacity is about five times more than that of sand, which contributes to land cooling and warming at a quicker rate than oceans and lakes.
Coastal climates benefit from the ocean's moderating effect, resulting in less extreme temperatures. Inland areas, without this influence, can experience more significant temperature fluctuations. Furthermore, water's high heat capacity allows it to act as a thermal regulator in various systems, from climatic patterns to biological organisms, by absorbing and releasing heat slowly.
Ocean circulation also plays a critical role in how heat is distributed globally. Although on long timescales, the deep ocean resists warming, surface waters heat up more readily, affecting both air temperature and the rate at which ice melts.