Which of the following characteristics of water helps explain why coastal areas experience less dramatic temperature changes during the day than more inland areas?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Water has a high specific heat capacity, meaning it can absorb and store a large amount of heat energy before its temperature rises significantly. This characteristic allows water to moderate temperature changes by absorbing heat during the day and releasing it slowly at night, resulting in less dramatic temperature fluctuations along coastal areas compared to inland areas. Water's adhesive properties (choice A) do not directly contribute to moderating temperature changes. While being a versatile solvent (choice B) is a notable property of water, it is not the primary reason for the specific temperature moderation observed in coastal areas. Water forming covalent bonds with other water molecules (choice D) is more related to its molecular structure rather than its role in temperature moderation.
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