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QPage 46: Q9: HC Verma: Concepts of Physics - Volume 2 Calorimetry Page 46: Q9 Solution: The atmospheric temperature in the cities on sea-coast change…

⚠️ Common Exam Traps & Conceptual Pitfalls

Students often attribute the stable coastal temperature solely to the high specific heat capacity of water, overlooking the critical role of water vapor as a greenhouse gas that traps heat at night. Ensure you cite both the slow thermal response of the ocean and the radiative trapping effect of humidity to fully explain the minimal temperature variation.

The atmospheric temperature in the cities on sea-coast change very little. Explain.

Step-by-Step Verified Solution

**Answer:** The atmospheric temperature in the cities on the sea-coast changes very little due to the following reasons: 1) The specific heat capacity of water is four times greater than land. This means water heats and cools more slowly than land. Also, once the ocean has warmed, it gives up its heat much slower than the land. 2) The moisture content of the air over coastal locations is very high. Moisture in the form of water vapour is the predominate greenhouse gas in the troposphere. Water vapour prevents the loss of heat into space at night. Thus, the temperature during day and night is almost the same.[citation:13]

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