Authentic Classroom Explanation by IAS Monk

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📍 The Question

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?

(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
(d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Correct Answer: (a)

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🎯 Theme of the Question

Physical Geography | Climatology | Heat Capacity | Land–Sea Contrast

This is a classic assertion–reason question, testing understanding of specific heat and its role in seasonal temperature variation.

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🧠 Classroom Explanation

Let us evaluate the two statements carefully and then examine their relationship.

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🔹 Statement-II: The specific heat of water is more than that of land surface. ✅

• Specific heat is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a substance by 1°C
• Water has a much higher specific heat than land
• This means:
  • Water heats up slowly
  • Water cools down slowly

✔️ Statement-II is correct

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🔹 Statement-I: Temperature contrast between continents and oceans is greater during summer than in winter. ✅

• During summer:
  • Land heats up rapidly
  • Oceans remain relatively cool
  • → Large temperature contrast
• During winter:
  • Land cools rapidly
  • Oceans release stored heat
  • → Temperature contrast reduces

✔️ Statement-I is correct

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🔗 Relationship Between the Statements

• The high specific heat of water explains why oceans:
  • Warm slowly in summer
  • Cool slowly in winter
• This difference in heating and cooling rates is the fundamental reason for the land–sea temperature contrast

👉 Statement-II correctly explains Statement-I

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📊 Final Assessment

Statement	Status
Summer land–sea contrast is greater	✅ Correct
Water has higher specific heat	✅ Correct
Explanation relationship	✅ Valid

👉 Correct option: (a)

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❌ UPSC Elimination Logic

• UPSC often tests:
  • Whether aspirants link physical property to climatic outcome
• High specific heat → thermal moderation by oceans
• This concept underlies:
  • Monsoon formation
  • Coastal climate moderation

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🧩 Memory Hook

“Land reacts fast, water reacts slow — summer shows the gap.”

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🧠 Prelims Strategy Insight

For assertion–reason questions:

• First verify truth of both statements
• Then check:
  • Is there a cause–effect relationship?
• Specific heat frequently acts as the hidden link

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🧭 IAS Monk Whisper

The oceans don’t hurry — and the climate follows their pace.