Multiple Choice
What is the specific heat capacity of lead if it takes 98.0 J to raise the temperature of a 75.5 g block by 10.2 °C? Express your answer with the appropriate units.
8. Thermochemistry
Heat Capacity
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Which best explains why water has a high specific heat?
A
Water has a low molecular weight, allowing it to absorb more heat.
B
Water molecules form hydrogen bonds that require more energy to break.
C
Water is a polar molecule, which decreases its heat capacity.
D
Water's high density allows it to store more heat energy.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the concept of specific heat: Specific heat is the amount of heat required to change the temperature of a substance by one degree Celsius. It is a measure of how much energy a substance can absorb before its temperature changes.
Recognize the role of hydrogen bonds in water: Water molecules are polar, meaning they have a partial positive charge on one side and a partial negative charge on the other. This polarity allows water molecules to form hydrogen bonds with each other.
Explain how hydrogen bonds affect specific heat: Hydrogen bonds are relatively strong intermolecular forces that require a significant amount of energy to break. When heat is added to water, much of the energy goes into breaking these hydrogen bonds rather than increasing the kinetic energy of the molecules, which would raise the temperature.
Compare the options given: Evaluate each statement based on your understanding of specific heat and hydrogen bonding. The statement that water molecules form hydrogen bonds that require more energy to break is consistent with the explanation of why water has a high specific heat.
Conclude with the correct explanation: The high specific heat of water is primarily due to the energy required to break the hydrogen bonds between water molecules, which absorbs heat without significantly increasing the temperature.
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