Water has an unusually high specific heat capacity because
- A. it is a very light molecule
- B. it is a good electrical conductor
- C. a large amount of energy is used breaking hydrogen bonds before the temperature rises
- D. it has a low boiling point
Explanation
Much of the heat supplied goes into breaking hydrogen bonds rather than into increasing the kinetic energy of the molecules, so the temperature rise per joule added is small. This makes water an excellent coolant in car radiators and gives coastal areas milder climates than inland regions. Its high latent heat of vaporisation has the same underlying cause.