Two and a half time extra energy is needed to heat water than the land surface because:

(a) A part of the sun’s rays falling on the water gets reflected.

(b) A part of the energy of the sun is utilized for evaporation of water into water vapor.

(c)The sun’s rays have to penetrate to a greater depth for heating the oceans than the land.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

(d) Water gets heated by convection; therefore, convection currents dissipate radiant energy over a greater depth than on land.

Therefore, water heats slowly and cools slowly and needs two and a half times more energy to heat than land.