Answer to Question #142282 in General Chemistry for Javier

Question

Why do isotherms appear as straight lines on the oceans but bend over the land?

Answer 1

The shape of isotherms as they appear on a map are influenced by the distribution of large land masses and water bodies and the time of the year. This differential heating of land and water results in a small variation in the position of the 10^C isotherm over water but a much larger variation over land