Liquid water's high specific heat is mainly a consequence of the:

• A. extensive hydrogen bonding between water molecules
• B. large mass of the water molecule
• C. presence of dissolved gases in water
• D. ionic nature of water

Answer: (A)

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 has a high specific heat compared to many other substances, meaning it can absorb a lot of heat without a large change in temperature.
3. Consider the molecular interactions in water: water molecules are polar and can form hydrogen bonds with each other.
4. Recall that hydrogen bonds are relatively strong intermolecular forces that require significant energy to break or disrupt.
5. Conclude that the extensive hydrogen bonding between water molecules is the main reason for water's high specific heat, as energy is used to break these bonds before the temperature can increase.