Which surface exhibits greater variation in temperature, rock or water?

Rock exhibits greater variation in temperature compared to water due to its physical properties and the way it interacts with heat. Rocks, being solid and having a high specific heat capacity, heat up quickly when exposed to sunlight, and they also lose heat rapidly once the sun sets. This results in a significant temperature fluctuation between day and night, particularly in mountainous or desert environments where rocks are prevalent.

In contrast, water has a much higher specific heat capacity, which means it can absorb and retain heat more effectively than rocks. This property allows bodies of water to warm up slowly and cool down slowly, leading to more stable temperatures. Consequently, areas near large bodies of water experience milder temperature variations compared to areas dominated by rock surfaces.

The other choices do not accurately capture this dynamic. Both equally does not account for the distinctive thermal properties of rocks and water. Neither implies that temperature variations do not occur, which is also not true. Overall, rock surfaces are much more susceptible to rapid temperature changes due to their lower heat retention compared to water.