Statements-I: The temperature contrast between continents and oceans is greater during summer than in winter.
Statements-II: The specific heat of water is more than that of land surface.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
a. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
b. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
c. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
d. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Question from UPSC Prelims 2023 GS Paper

Explanation :

Correct Answer: d. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Temperature Contrast Between Continents and Oceans

Statement I: “The temperature contrast between continents and oceans is greater during summer than in winter.”
This statement is incorrect.

During summer, both continents and oceans receive more solar radiation and heat up. However, due to the high specific heat capacity of water, oceans take longer to heat up compared to land.
In winter, continents cool down quickly due to their lower specific heat capacity and the reduced solar radiation. However, oceans retain the heat accumulated during summer for a longer time due to their high specific heat capacity. This leads to a situation where continents become much colder than oceans, creating a larger temperature contrast.

Role of Specific Heat in Temperature Variations

Statement II: “The specific heat of water is more than that of land surface.” This statement is also correct.
Specific heat is the amount of heat per unit mass required to raise the temperature by one degree Celsius. Water has a higher specific heat capacity than land, meaning it takes more energy to raise the temperature of water by one degree compared to land. This is why water heats up and cools down more slowly than land.