Temperature Range in Continents vs Coasts

The annual temperature range (difference between the hottest and coldest months) is much greater in continental interiors than in coastal areas. Statement 1 is correct: Water has a high specific heat capacity, meaning it takes longer to warm up and cool down compared to land. Oceans moderate coastal temperatures, keeping winters warmer and summers cooler, resulting in a small annual range. In continental interiors, land heats up rapidly in summer and cools down rapidly in winter, creating large temperature extremes. This thermal difference between land and water is the primary reason. Statement 2 is incorrect: Altitude variation between continents and oceans is not the main reason; coastal areas at sea level can still have moderate temperature ranges. Statement 3 is incorrect: The presence of strong winds in the interior would not typically explain higher temperature ranges. Statement 4 is incorrect: Heavy rains would reduce temperature ranges by increasing cloud cover and humidity, not increase them. > Continental Temperature Rule: Land's Low specific heat causes large annual temperature swings; water's High specific heat moderates coastal climates. Answer: (a).