Question

Compared to most other substances, a great deal of heat is needed to raise the temperature of water by a given amount. This is because water...a. is an acidb. readily forms solutionsc. has a high heat capacityd. acts as a buffer

Answer 1

C

Step-by-step explanation:

Let's look at the options and verify if they are accurate:

A) Water is not an acid since it does not have a pH below 7. The pH of water is neutral, equaling 7.

B) Although water readily forms solutions, this doesn't affect why water has a high heat capacity. Water easily creates solutions due to being polar

C) The heat capacity for water is exceptionally high due to water's intermolecular bonding with other water molecules, as the electron-rich oxygen is attracted to the electron-deficient hydrogen. Therefore, breaking the bonds of water when subject to increased temperature requires a lot of energy, thus, a lot of heat.

D) A buffer is any substance that resists pH by the addition of hydroxide (OH-) and hydrogen (H+) ions in the solution. Water cannot be a buffer because it cannot compensate for an addition of a base/acid due to its 1:1 ratio of H+ and OH- ions.

Therefore, Option C is correct.