Imagine you are at a local water park on a hot summer day and your feet begin to get hot from the cement. Looking ahead, you notice that there are two paths you can take to your favorite waterslide. One path is comprised of sand while the other path consists of water. You opt for the water path because you know it will be cooler on your feet. Assuming that both paths were exposed to the same heat source (the sun) and that both paths have the same mass, explain why water does not get as hot as sand.

Sand has less specific heat than water.

Explanation:

Specific Heat is amount of heat needed per unit mass, to raise temperature by 1 degree celsius.

More specific heat means more heat energy needed to increase temperature. It implies - more time needed to absorb heat, increase temperature; and also more time needed to lose its heat.

Less specific heat means less heat energy needed to increase temperature. It implies - less time needed to absorb heat, increase temperature; and also less time needed to lose its heat.

Sand has less specific heat than water. So, it needs less heat absorption to increase temperature by per unit (celsius) ; than water. Hence, same level of heat to both sand & water ; increase temperature of sand more than water, & make it more hot.