It takes a lot of energy to change the temperature of water. This is important for both aquatic organisms and the Earth's weather and climate patterns. Which water property is responsible for the maintaining homeostasis in bodies of water? A) capillary action B) high heat capacity C) low heat of vaporization D) high heat of vaporization

Question

Biology

Jeremiah Wood

21 August, 01:49

It takes a lot of energy to change the temperature of water. This is important for both aquatic organisms and the Earth's weather and climate patterns. Which water property is responsible for the maintaining homeostasis in bodies of water? A) capillary action B) high heat capacity C) low heat of vaporization D) high heat of vaporization

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Answers (1)

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Donovan Schwartz · Answer 1

Answer: B) high heat capacity

The water property responsible for maintaining homeostasis in bodies of water is the high heat capacity of water.

Explanation:

A water molecule contains an atom of oxygen and two atoms of hydrogen. These atoms are bonded to each other by covalent bonding formed by sharing of electrons. Water molecule has a negative and positive end which makes intermolecular bonding between adjacent water molecules easy.

This intermolecular bonding between water molecules is called hydrogen bonding which has a strong nature. The amount of energy required to raise or lower the temperature of a substance by 1℃ is called heat capacity. Strong hydrogen bonding existing between molecules of water makes water a liquid with high heat capacity.

Thus changing the temperature of water requires high amount of energy and water successfully maintains homeostasis.