This lab will introduce the principle of continentality, which states that inland sites will have greater annual and diurnal temperature ranges than will coastal sites. | Homework Helper

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This lab will introduce the principle of continentality, which states that inland sites will have greater annual and diurnal temperature ranges than will coastal sites. While mean temperatures in different parts of the world are mainly determined by latitude, the distribution of land and water has the greatest influence on temperature ranges. Inland sites (e.g. Phoenix) typically experience both warmer summers and cooler winters than do corresponding coastal sites at similar latitudes (e.g. San Diego). The reasons for this phenomenon lie in the differences between how land and water areas interact with incoming solar radiation, particularly with regard to absorption, reflection, transmission, and heat storage.