Question

ocean water temperatures have a major effect on local weather patterns. the sun’s energy warms up both the water and the land. water warms up and cools off much slower than land or air because it takes more energy to change the temperature of water. as a result, which statement is true? coastal areas tend to have wider yearly temperature variations than inland areas. inland areas have more extreme temperature changes than coastal areas. coastal storms often form when cold, dry air masses from the oceans meet hot, wet air masses from land inland areas rarely experience warmer temperatures than coastal areas.

Explanation:

The problem is about the effect of ocean water temperature on local weather, specifically temperature variations between coastal and inland areas. We know that water has a higher specific heat capacity, meaning it warms and cools slower than land. Inland areas, without the moderating effect of water, will have more extreme (wider) temperature changes (both daily and yearly) compared to coastal areas.

• Option 1: Coastal areas have narrower temperature variations than inland, so this is false.
• Option 2: Inland areas, lacking the moderating effect of water, have more extreme (wider) temperature changes. This matches the concept of specific heat and temperature moderation.
• Option 3: Coastal storms form from interactions of air masses, but this is not directly related to the temperature variation due to water's heat capacity.
• Option 4: Inland areas can experience warm temperatures, and this statement is not supported by the given information about water's temperature - moderating effect.

Answer:

Inland areas have more extreme temperature changes than coastal areas. (The second option in the list: "Inland areas have more extreme temperature changes than coastal areas.")