Chapter 21, Problem 14A

To determine

To explain: The reason for the west coast to be warmer in winter months and cooler in summer months than the east coast.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The specific heat capacity of any substance is the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of a unit mass by one degree.

Due to the higher specific heat capacity of water, it absorbs heat energy from the air flowing above the water surface and cools down the air. This air is then flowing towards the west coast and cools in the summer.

Similarly, in the winter, water dissipates the heat energy to the air flowing above the water surface. Now, this warm air flows towards the land and warms the west coast. All this happens on the west coast compared to the east coast because the prevailing winds in the latitudes of the given place are westerly. That is why, at the east coasts, the wind is warmer in summer and much cooler in winter as heat dissipated by land absorbed by air over the land, and travels towards the Atlantic Ocean.

Conclusion:

Thus, due to wind direction, water absorbs heat in summer and dissipates heat in winter to the air above it, which then moves to the west coast and provides comfort.