thermal inertia

Thermal inertia is a measure of the rate at which a material can absorb heat.

I = √(kρc)

• I - thermal inertia (a lower such inertia indicates heat can be absorbed at a greater rate).
• ρ - density.
• k - thermal conductivity.
• c - specific heat capacity.

On astronomical bodies, thermal inertia of the surface material affects the body's climate and weather, specifically its response to its daylight and its seasons, i.e., to the higher and lower amounts of incoming electromagnetic radiation.