Continentality presentation
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Transcript of Continentality presentation
How does the distance from the sea (continentality) affect
climate?
What is Continentality?
“Continentality, a measure of the difference between continental and marine climates characterized by the increased
range of temperatures that occurs over land compared with water. ” (Britannica)
Sea heats up slowly and cools slowly!
Land heats up quickly and cools quickly
Heat Capacity
• Specific heat capacity is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one gram of a substance by one degree Celsius.
• Land has a lower heat capacity.
• The sea has a higher heat capacity.
Other Factors
• The ocean like the air but unlike land is subject to vertical mixing and convective movements.
• The sun is able to warm only the thin upper surface of the land.
• Land (solids) is a better conductor of heat.
Coast is warmer Winter Coast is
Colder Summer
Inland is colder Winter Inland is
warmer Summer
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