The best description of how the temperature of the land differs from the temperature of the ocean is:
1. The temperature on the land is warmer than near the ocean.
This statement highlights the fundamental difference in temperature between land and ocean areas. Land surfaces tend to heat up more quickly than water bodies because land has a lower specific heat capacity compared to water. As a result, during the day, land areas absorb and retain more heat from sunlight, leading to higher temperatures compared to the cooler ocean temperatures.
2. The temperature on the land is cooler than near the ocean.
This statement is incorrect as it contradicts the typical pattern of land being warmer than the ocean. The ocean's temperature tends to be more stable due to water's higher specific heat capacity, which means it takes longer for water to heat up or cool down compared to land. Consequently, coastal areas often experience milder temperatures compared to inland regions, where the land temperature can fluctuate more significantly.
