Importance of large specific heat capacity of water:

The specific heat of water is 4200Jk  and that of dry soil is about 810Jk  As a result, the temperature of soil would increase five times more than the same mass of water with the same amount of heat. Thus, the temperature of land rises and falls more rapidly than that of the sea. Hence, the temperature variations from summer to winter are much smaller at places near the sea than on land far away from the sea.

Storing and carrying thermal energy:

Water has a large specific heat capacity. For this reason, it is very useful in storing and carrying thermal energy due to its high specific heat capacity. The cooling system of automobiles uses water to carry away unwanted thermal energy. In an automobile, a large amount of heat is produced by its engine due to which its temperature goes on increasing. The engine would cease unless it is not cooled down. Water circulating the engine by arrows maintains its temperature. Water absorbs unwanted thermal energy of the engine and dissipates heat through its radiator.

Central heating systems:

In central heating systems, hot water is used to carry thermal energy through pipes from the boiler to the radiators. These radiators are fixed inside the house at suitable places.

DO YOU KNOW?

The presence of large water reservoirs such as lakes and seas keeps the climate of nearby land moderate due to the large heat capacity of these reservoirs.