Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

3. Water

Properties of Water- Thermal

General Biology

3. Water

Properties of Water- Thermal

Previous problemNext problem

1:16 minutes

Problem 3

Textbook Question

Water has a high heat-absorbing capacity because ________.
a. The sun's rays penetrate to the bottom of bodies of water, mainly heating the bottom surface.
b. The strong covalent bonds that hold individual water molecules together require large inputs of heat to break.
c. It has the ability to dissolve many heat-resistant solutes.
d. Initial energy inputs are first used to break hydrogen bonds between water molecules and only after these are broken, to raise the temperature; e. all of the above are true.

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the concept of water's high heat-absorbing capacity. This property is due to water's ability to absorb and store large amounts of heat energy without a significant change in temperature. This is primarily due to the hydrogen bonds between water molecules.

Step 2: Analyze the options provided in the question. Each option suggests a reason for water's high heat-absorbing capacity. Evaluate each one based on your understanding of water's molecular properties.

Step 3: Recall that hydrogen bonds between water molecules play a critical role in water's heat capacity. When heat is applied, the energy is first used to break these hydrogen bonds before increasing the kinetic energy (temperature) of the water molecules.

Step 4: Eliminate incorrect options. For example, strong covalent bonds within individual water molecules (option b) are not responsible for heat absorption, as these bonds are not broken during normal heating. Similarly, the sun's rays heating the bottom of water bodies (option a) is unrelated to water's intrinsic heat capacity.

Step 5: Identify the correct answer based on the explanation. The correct reason is that initial energy inputs are used to break hydrogen bonds between water molecules (option d). This explains why water has a high heat-absorbing capacity.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above

Video duration:

Play a video:

Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Heat Capacity

Heat capacity is the amount of heat energy required to change the temperature of a substance by a given amount. Water has a high heat capacity, meaning it can absorb a significant amount of heat without a large increase in temperature. This property is crucial for regulating temperatures in natural environments and is vital for maintaining homeostasis in living organisms.

Hydrogen Bonds

Hydrogen bonds are weak attractions that occur between the hydrogen atom of one water molecule and the oxygen atom of another. These bonds are responsible for many of water's unique properties, including its high heat capacity. When heat is added to water, much of the energy is initially used to break these hydrogen bonds before the temperature of the water begins to rise.

Covalent Bonds

Covalent bonds are strong chemical bonds formed when two atoms share electrons. In water, each molecule consists of two hydrogen atoms covalently bonded to one oxygen atom. While covalent bonds give water its molecular structure, it is the hydrogen bonds between water molecules that significantly contribute to its high heat-absorbing capacity.

Watch next

Master Properties of Water- Thermal with a bite sized video explanation from Jason

Start learning