Which of the following helps most to explain why water has a high specific heat?

Question

(a) A water molecule can make 4 hydrogen bonds.
(b) The water molecule has exceptionally strong covalent bonds.
(c) Water temperature is exceptionally sensitive to heat.
Both (a) and (b).
Both (b) and (c).

Answer 1

The correct choice that helps most to explain why water has a high specific heat is:

(a) A water molecule can make 4 hydrogen bonds.

Water's high specific heat is primarily due to the hydrogen bonds that form between water molecules. These hydrogen bonds require a significant amount of energy to break, which means that a lot of heat energy is absorbed before the water's temperature increases. Option (b) is not as relevant because while water does have covalent bonds, they are not what mainly contributes to the high specific heat. Option (c) is a consequence of water's specific heat rather than an explanation for it. Therefore, the best answer is (a).