Factors Affecting Temperature of Places

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The contrasts between land and sea also affect the temperature of a place as it determines the ability of the surface to absorb heat energy. The land sea warming contrast refers to the difference in the ability to absorb, transfer and radiate heat energy between land and sea. The faster the rate of heating and cooling, the greater the effect on the temperatures of places. The sea is more transparent than the land and is capable of absorbing heat down to a depth of 10 meters and thus transferring this heat to greater depths through the movements of waves and currents. The sea also has a greater specific heat capacity than that of land (maritime effect), as Location A experience less extreme temperature in winter and cooler temperature in summer, as they are influenced by moderating effect of sea, causing smaller annual temperature range. On the other hand, Location B is influenced by continental effect, hence experiencing more extreme temperature in winter and warmer temperature in summer, causing greater annual temperature range. For example, in the temperate region at 50N, Fishguard experience an annual temperature of 10c, with 6c in winter and 16c in summer, while Volgograd experience an annual temperature of 38c, with -16c in winter and 22c in summer. Thus, land-sea contrast is an important factor in influencing the temperature of a place but it is not as important as compared to latitude, as it is only a secondary factor. Land-sea contrast can be affected by latitude, as latitude determines the amount of SWR received from the Sun, causing a difference to the amount of SWR reaching the Earth’s surface. Elevation also affects the temperature of the place as it determines the ability of the air molecules to absorb the radiated heat from the Earth’s surface. Elevation refers to the height of a point above the sea level. The higher the altitude, the lower the

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