Multiple choice

Nights are cooler in the deserts than in the plains because ________.

  1. sand absorbs heat more quickly than Earth

  2. sand radiates heat more quickly than Earth

  3. the sky remains clear most of the time

  4. none of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Desert sand has low specific heat capacity and cannot retain heat effectively, so it radiates heat back to the atmosphere very quickly after sunset. Plains have vegetation and soil that hold heat longer, keeping nights warmer. Clear desert skies allow rapid heat escape without cloud cover.

Keep practicing — related questions