Summary
Compares the properties of land and water — how they absorb and release heat differently — and explains why oceans moderate coastal temperatures while inland areas experience more extreme weather.
Viewer safety
All ages
Common Sense Media — not yet ratedIMDb Parents Guide — not yet rated
Our rating is a quick teacher-to-teacher guide — preview before showing.
Teaching resources
Discussion questions
Discussion
- Why does sand at the beach get burning hot in the sun while the water nearby stays cooler?
- How does a large body of water affect the temperature of a nearby city?
- Why are inland cities often hotter in summer and colder in winter than coastal cities at the same latitude?
- How might the difference between land and water temperature drive wind?
Quick work-a-long
Vocabulary: absorb, release, heat capacity, moderate, coastal, inland.
Try it: Place equal amounts of soil and water in two cups. Set both in sunlight for ten minutes, then measure temperatures. Which is warmer? Which explains why deserts get so hot?