Ocean Heat Capacity

Definition

Ocean heat capacity refers to how much heat energy can be absorbed by seawater without significantly changing its temperature. The high heat capacity of oceans helps regulate Earth's climate by absorbing and storing large amounts of heat.

Analogy

Think of oceans as giant sponges that soak up heat energy like a sponge soaks up water. Just like a wet sponge takes longer to dry than a small cloth, it takes longer for oceans to release stored heat compared to land masses.

Related terms

Thermal Expansion: The increase in volume or size of matter when heated. In relation to oceans, thermal expansion contributes to sea-level rise.

Global Warming Potential (GWP): A measure of how much a greenhouse gas can contribute to global warming over a given time period.

Albedo Effect: The ability of different surfaces (such as ice or forests) to reflect sunlight back into space, affecting Earth's overall temperature.