Which of the following explains why the temperature of land near water is different than inland

Question

Bodies of water, reflect the sun thus changing the temperature

Land near water is at a higher altitude, so it is closer to the sun

The air over the water, affects the air and land nearby

Water changes land temperatures where it touches the shoreline

Answer 1

The most accurate explanation for why the temperature of land near water is different than inland is:

The air over the water affects the air and land nearby.

This statement captures the concept of maritime versus continental climates. Water has a higher specific heat capacity than land, meaning it can absorb and store more heat without undergoing as large of a temperature change. As a result, areas near large bodies of water tend to have milder temperatures with less fluctuation between day and night, especially compared to inland areas that can experience more extreme temperature changes.