It has been a hot summer, so when you arrive at a lake, you decide to go for a swim even though it is nighttime. The water is cold! The next day, you go swimming again during the hottest part of the day, and even though the air is warmer the water is still almost as cold.?

Question

Brian Rose

Physics

10 February, 14:14

It has been a hot summer, so when you arrive at a lake, you decide to go for a swim even though it is nighttime. The water is cold! The next day, you go swimming again during the hottest part of the day, and even though the air is warmer the water is still almost as cold.?

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Answers (1)

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Marley · Answer 1

Answer: This is because water has a higher Specific Heat Capacity than air.

Explanation:

The specific heat capacity of an object measures how much heat will be required to change its temperature.

Water has a higher specific heat capacity than air, so the temperature of the water will remain fairly constant even though the air surrounding the water is experience temperature changes.

Since air has a lower Specific Heat Capacity than water, heat from the sun will readily heat it up in comparison to water.