Final answer:
Option (a), Water is polar, stabilizes temperature, and is essential for life, but it is not the most abundant molecule in Earth's atmosphere; that would be nitrogen.
Step-by-step explanation:
To answer the question regarding water properties:
- Water is indeed a polar molecule, which means it has a partial positive charge on one side and a partial negative charge on the other, allowing it to form hydrogen bonds with other water molecules or substances.
- Due to its high specific heat, water can stabilize the temperature of the nearby air by absorbing or releasing heat without experiencing a significant change in its own temperature, which is why it plays a key role in regulating Earth's climate.
- Water is undeniably essential for life, as it is involved in many biological processes and is necessary for all known forms of life.
- However, the statement that water is the most abundant molecule in Earth's atmosphere is not true. The most abundant molecule in Earth's atmosphere is nitrogen (N2), followed by oxygen (O2). Water vapor is present, but not in such large quantities to be considered the most abundant.