[MaxShlochz]

Today I was learning about the Southern Hemisphere of Earth and how it should have severer seasons
than in the Northern Hemisphere and I was told that the main reason that the Southern Hemisphere doesn't have severer seasons is because there's mostly water there and water absorbs more energy than Land, that water has a higher specific heat than Land.

My question is, Why?
Why does water have a higher specific heat than (for an example) sand?
Or other solids?

I know that water has strong Hydrogen Bonds but how does it compare to Land, or more specifically sand?

[Corribus]

Here are some specific heat values of various substances.

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/specific-heat-capacity-d_391.html

You can see specific heat capacity of water is ~5x that of sand and soil.  The presence of hydrogen bonds is a good place to start for an explanation.

[MaxShlochz]

Here are some specific heat values of various substances.

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/specific-heat-capacity-d_391.html

You can see specific heat capacity of water is ~5x that of sand and soil.  The presence of hydrogen bonds is a good place to start for an explanation.

Thanks for the link, after I wrote the question I understood that confused myself way beyond my comprehension.