UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 14
Consider the following statements :
Statement-I : The temperature contrast between continents and oceans is greater during summer than in winter.
Statement-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?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: D
Correct Option: D (Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct)
Explanation: Water heats and cools more slowly than land due to its higher specific heat and mixing; the claim that land–sea temperature contrast is invariably greater in summer is incorrect.
Statement / Pair / Item-wise Analysis:
I. Incorrect/False - In general, winter continental cooling can create greater land–sea thermal contrasts; the assertion of universally greater summer contrast is false.
II. Correct/True - Water’s specific heat is greater than that of land materials, moderating ocean temperature changes.
Option-wise Analysis:
A. Incorrect-Statement I is false: In general, winter continental cooling can create greater land–sea thermal contrasts; the assertion of universally greater summer contrast is false.
B. Incorrect-Statement I is false: In general, winter continental cooling can create greater land–sea thermal contrasts; the assertion of universally greater summer contrast is false.
C. Incorrect-Statement I is false: In general, winter continental cooling can create greater land–sea thermal contrasts; the assertion of universally greater summer contrast is false.
D. Correct-Statement I is false and Statement II is true.