Why does water's high specific heat make it a good coolant for car radiators?

• A. Because it can absorb a large amount of heat without a significant increase in temperature.
• B. Because it evaporates quickly, removing heat from the engine.
• C. Because it reacts with engine components to produce cooling effects.
• D. Because it has a low boiling point, allowing it to cool the engine efficiently.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of specific heat capacity, which is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of a substance by 1 degree Celsius. Water has a high specific heat capacity compared to many other substances.
2. Recognize that a high specific heat means water can absorb a large amount of heat energy with only a small increase in its temperature. This property allows water to act as an effective heat reservoir.
3. Apply this to car radiators: as the engine produces heat, water in the radiator absorbs this heat without its temperature rising too quickly, preventing the engine from overheating.
4. Note that because water's temperature remains relatively stable while absorbing heat, it can continuously carry heat away from the engine to the radiator, where it is dissipated into the air.
5. Conclude that water's ability to absorb a large amount of heat with minimal temperature change makes it an excellent coolant, maintaining engine temperature within safe limits.