The temperature variation of land near sea is very less compared to that far from sea. This is due to

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OPSC OAS (Preliminary) Exam (GS) Official Paper-I (Held On: 15 Dec, 2024)
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  1. Sun ray is not direct
  2. The sea absorbs the heat
  3. High heat capacity of humid air
  4. Heat is reflected by the sea

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : High heat capacity of humid air
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ST 1: General Studies (Indian Polity - I)
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Detailed Solution

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The correct answer is High heat capacity of humid air.

Key Points

  • Water has a high specific heat capacity, which means it can absorb a lot of heat before increasing in temperature.
  • Humid air, being in close proximity to the sea, helps in moderating the temperature by absorbing heat during the day and releasing it at night.
  • This characteristic of humid air prevents extreme temperature changes, making the coastal areas have less temperature variation.
  • The presence of water bodies leads to higher humidity and consequently a higher heat capacity in the air near coastal regions.

Additional Information

  • Sun ray is not direct: This statement is incorrect because the sun's rays are generally direct in tropical and subtropical regions, regardless of proximity to the sea. The angle of the sun's rays affects the intensity of heat but does not explain the temperature variation between land near the sea and land far from the sea.
  • The sea absorbs the heat: While it is true that the sea absorbs heat, this statement alone does not explain the moderation of temperature on land. The key factor is the high heat capacity of the sea, which affects the surrounding air.
  • Heat is reflected by the sea: This statement is not accurate as the sea absorbs more heat than it reflects. The reflection of heat does occur, but it is not significant enough to account for the temperature variation.
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