Consider the following statements : Statement-I : The temperature contrast between continents and oceans is greater during summer than in winter. Statement-II : The specific heat of water is more than that of land surface. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Statement II is correct. Water has a higher specific heat capacity than land surfaces. This means that water requires more energy to raise its temperature by one degree compared to land. Conversely, water also loses heat more slowly than land. Statement I is correct. Because of the difference in specific heat, land surfaces heat up much faster and to higher temperatures than oceans during the day and summer, and cool down much faster and to lower temperatures during the night and winter. This differential heating and cooling leads to greater temperature variations over land compared to oceans. Consequently, the temperature contrast (difference) between continents and oceans tends to be larger in summer (hot land vs. moderate ocean) and winter (cold land vs. moderate ocean) than in spring or autumn. Generally, the magnitude of the contrast is considered greater in summer. Statement II explains Statement I. The higher specific heat of water is the fundamental reason why oceans moderate temperatures more effectively than continents, leading to the observed differences in temperature variability and the resulting seasonal contrast.