What is the effect of the type of surface on diurnal variation of surface air temperature?

The correct answer highlights the role of surface types in affecting diurnal temperature variations. When certain surfaces, such as water bodies or vegetation, reflect solar radiation effectively, they limit the warming of the air above them. This reflection results in relatively static temperatures during the day, reducing the range of temperature fluctuation.

In contrast, surfaces like asphalt or bare soil tend to absorb heat significantly, leading to rapid increases in surface air temperature during the day and more substantial drops at night. This can result in greater temperature fluctuations as the heat is quickly released once sunlight is no longer present.

Additionally, surfaces that have a high heat capacity, like water, tend to moderate temperature changes, preventing sharp increases or decreases in air temperature. Therefore, the way different types of surfaces interact with solar radiation plays a crucial role in determining the diurnal variation of air temperatures.