Which statement describes the relationship between solar heating and radiative cooling correctly?

• A. Ground heats slower; Water cools slower
• B. Ground heats faster; Water cools faster
• C. Ground heats faster; Water cools slower
• D. Ground heats faster; Water cools slower

Answer: (C)

The way the surface responds to heating and cooling is governed mainly by how much energy is needed to change its temperature, which is set by its specific heat capacity. Water has a high specific heat, so it takes a lot of energy to raise its temperature, and it also stores a lot of energy that must be released to drop its temperature. Ground or soil has a much lower specific heat, so it heats up quickly when the sun shines and loses heat more quickly when the sun goes away. So, under solar heating, the ground warms faster, and when cooling occurs, water loses energy more slowly, meaning it cools slower. That’s why the ground heats quickly, while water tends to stay warm longer and cools more slowly.