Which statement correctly describes a sea breeze?

• A. It occurs when cool air from the ocean moves inland
• B. It occurs when cool air from the land moves toward the sea
• C. It occurs when warm air rises from the ocean
• D. It occurs when air from the ocean sinks at the coast

Answer: (A)

Sea breezes come from the difference in heating between land and sea. During the day, land heats up quickly, causing air over the land to rise and create a lower pressure near the coast. Cooler, denser air from over the ocean moves toward the land to replace the rising air, so the breeze blows from sea to shore. That’s why the statement describing cool air from the ocean moving inland is the correct description.

The other ideas describe different patterns: a wind from land to sea would be a land breeze (typically at night), and the notions of warm air rising or sinking air over the ocean don’t capture the onshore flow that defines a sea breeze.