Final answer:
b. contains a lot of energy it can transfer
The high specific heat capacity of water means it absorbs and holds onto heat energy very well, therefore hot water contains a lot of energy that it can slowly release, making it a good thermal energy regulator.
Step-by-step explanation:
The high specific heat capacity of water suggests that it requires a significant amount of heat energy to change the water's temperature. In other words, it takes a lot of energy to make water hot, and similarly, it takes a long time for hot water to cool down because the water gradually releases the absorbed heat energy. Therefore, the correct answer is b. contains a lot of energy it can transfer. This property of water makes it an excellent heat storage medium and regulator of thermal energy.
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