WHY DO OCEANS AND CONTINENTS HAVE DIFFERENT THERMAL PROPERTIES? Continents heat up and cool down more quickly than oceans.

Differences in Specific Heat. Differences in Latent Heat Flux. Differences in the Penetration of Radiation. Differences in Mixing.

Differences in Specific Heat. The quantity of energy required to raise a fixed weight (1 Kg) of a substance (1°k, 1°C or 1.8°F). Differences in Latent Heat Flux. Differences in the Penetration of Radiation. Differences in Mixing.

Differences in Specific Heat. The quantity of energy required to raise a fixed weight (1 Kg) of a substance (1°k, 1°C or 1.8°F). Differences in Latent Heat Flux. The proportion of insolation directed towards changing the state of water (melting or evaporation) which does not change the temperature of the immediate environment. Differences in the Penetration of Radiation. Differences in Mixing.

Differences in Specific Heat. The quantity of energy required to raise a fixed weight (1 Kg) of a substance (1°k, 1°C or 1.8°F). Differences in Latent Heat Flux. The proportion of insolation directed towards changing the state of water (melting or evaporation) which does not change the temperature of the immediate environment. Differences in the Penetration of Radiation. The depth of a substance over which a fixed quantity of insolation is distributed ~ “Concentration/dilution”. Differences in Mixing.

Differences in Specific Heat. The quantity of energy required to raise a fixed weight (1 Kg) of a substance (1°k, 1°C or 1.8°F). Differences in Latent Heat Flux. The proportion of insolation directed towards changing the state of water (melting or evaporation) which does not change the temperature of the immediate environment. Differences in the Penetration of Radiation. The depth of a substance over which a fixed quantity of insolation is distributed ~ “Concentration/dilution”. Differences in Mixing. The ability of the substance to redistribute energy within itself once the energy has been delivered.

- + + SPECIFICIC HEAT: O HH Water molecule

- + + SPECIFICIC HEAT: O HH Water molecule Hydrogen bonds

- + + SPECIFICIC HEAT: O HH Water molecule Hydrogen bonds 20,000 KJ

- + + SPECIFICIC HEAT: O HH Water molecule Hydrogen bonds WaterSoil 20,000 KJ 1Kg H 2 O1Kg soil

- + + SPECIFICIC HEAT: O HH Water molecule Hydrogen bonds WaterSoil 20,000 KJ 1Kg H 2 O1Kg soil Specific heat: 4200 KJ Kg -1 °K KJ Kg -1 °K -1

- + + SPECIFICIC HEAT: O HH Water molecule Hydrogen bonds WaterSoil 20,000 KJ 1Kg H 2 O1Kg soil T↑~5°K Specific heat: 4200 KJ Kg -1 °K KJ Kg -1 °K -1 20,000 4,200

- + + SPECIFICIC HEAT: O HH Water molecule Hydrogen bonds WaterSoil 20,000 KJ 1Kg H 2 O1Kg soil T↑~5°K T↑8°K Specific heat: 4200 KJ Kg -1 °K KJ Kg -1 °K -1 20,000 2,500

LATENT HEAT FLUX: Ground Heat Sensible Heat Sensible Heat Latent Heat OceansContinents Latent Heat

LATENT HEAT FLUX: Ground Heat Sensible Heat Sensible Heat Latent Heat Latent Heat OceansContinents More water available to change the state of over oceans than continents. Thus proportion to Latent Heat Flux is higher

LATENT HEAT FLUX: Ground Heat Sensible Heat Sensible Heat Latent Heat Latent Heat OceansContinents If a higher proportion of the available insolation is diverted to Latent Heat, then a lower proportion is available for Ground and Sensible Heat

LATENT HEAT FLUX: Ground Heat Sensible Heat Sensible Heat Latent Heat Latent Heat OceansContinents If a higher proportion of the available insolation is diverted to Latent Heat, then a lower proportion is available for Ground and Sensible Heat Ground Heat Changes in surface and air temperatures No changes in temperatures

PENETRATION OF RADIATION: OceansContinents Liquid Solid CONTINENTOCEAN Depth Greater depth of penetration in the liquid ocean compared to solid continents Assume equal Ground Heat Flux

PENETRATION OF RADIATION: OceansContinents Temperature Liquid Solid CONTINENTOCEAN Depth Equal Areas Equal quantities of energy represent equal areas “heated”. Oceans “deep” but “cool surface” – continents “Shallow”, but “warm surface” Cool Warm

Calm Warm Cooler Coolest MIXING: Least Dense Denser Most Dense Stable Profile – little mixing.

Calm Rough Warm Cooler Coolest MIXING: Wave Energy – surface mixing.

Calm Rough Salty Warm Cooler Coolest MIXING: Saline Waters – more dense, promote vertical mixing. Evaporation

Calm Rough Salty Warm Cooler Coolest Cold MIXING: Cool surface waters – (ice melting) more dense, promote vertical mixing.

Calm Rough Salty Warm Cooler Coolest Cold MIXING: Cool surface waters – (ice melting) more dense, promote vertical mixing. No equivalent processes within the continental surfaces.