Water has a significantly higher heat transfer capacity compared to air at the same temperature and pressure conditions. This is primarily due to the difference in their thermal conductivity and specific heat capacities.
Thermal conductivity is a measure of how well a material conducts heat. Water has a higher thermal conductivity than air, which means it can transfer heat more efficiently. The thermal conductivity of water is around 0.6 W/(m·K) at room temperature, while the thermal conductivity of air is much lower, around 0.024 W/(m·K).
Additionally, specific heat capacity is a measure of the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a substance. Water has a higher specific heat capacity compared to air, which means it can absorb and store more heat energy per unit mass. The specific heat capacity of water is approximately 4.18 J/(g·K), while the specific heat capacity of air is about 1.0 J/(g·K).
Therefore, due to its higher thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity, water can transfer and store significantly more heat energy compared to air under the same temperature and pressure conditions. This is why water is often used as a more effective medium for heat transfer in various applications, such as cooling systems, heat exchangers, and thermal management.