Which of the following best explains why water has a high specific heat capacity?

• A. Water has a low molecular mass, allowing it to absorb more heat.
• B. Water is a nonpolar molecule, so it resists temperature changes.
• C. Water molecules form strong hydrogen bonds, which require more energy to break during heating.
• D. Water contains dissolved ions that increase its ability to store heat.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that specific heat capacity is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a substance by 1 degree Celsius.
2. Recognize that water's high specific heat capacity means it can absorb a lot of heat without a large change in temperature.
3. Recall that water molecules are polar and can form hydrogen bonds with each other, which are relatively strong intermolecular forces.
4. Know that breaking or weakening these hydrogen bonds requires significant energy input, which contributes to water's ability to absorb heat.
5. Conclude that the presence of strong hydrogen bonds between water molecules is the primary reason for its high specific heat capacity.