Multiple Choice
The specific heat of silver (Ag) is 0.245 J/°C g. Determine the energy required to raise the temperature of 350 g of Ag from 293 K to 400 K.
8. Thermochemistry
Heat Capacity
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Which of the following helps most to explain why water has a high specific heat?
A
Hydrogen bonding between water molecules
B
The presence of dissolved ions in water
C
The high density of water
D
The low molecular weight of water
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the concept of specific heat: Specific heat is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a substance by one degree Celsius. A high specific heat means the substance can absorb a lot of heat without a significant change in temperature.
Consider the structure of water: Water (H₂O) is a polar molecule, meaning it has a partial positive charge on one side and a partial negative charge on the other, due to the difference in electronegativity between hydrogen and oxygen.
Examine hydrogen bonding: Water molecules form hydrogen bonds with each other. These are strong intermolecular forces that occur when the hydrogen atom of one water molecule is attracted to the oxygen atom of another water molecule.
Relate hydrogen bonding to specific heat: The presence of hydrogen bonds means that a significant amount of energy is required to break these bonds before the water molecules can move freely and increase in temperature. This is why water has a high specific heat.
Evaluate other options: The presence of dissolved ions, high density, and low molecular weight do not significantly contribute to the high specific heat of water compared to the effect of hydrogen bonding.
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