Question

The higher value of specific heat of the water in comparison to other liquids is due to:
A. high dielectric constant
B. polarity
C. H - bonding
D. none of the above

Answer 1

Hint: For this problem, we have to study the concept of specific heat first. So that we can compare the substance based on the type of bond present in it. After which we can easily choose the correct option.

Complete step by step answer:
- In the given question, we have to choose the correct reason for the high value of specific heat of the water as compared to other liquids.
- As we know that specific heat capacity of a substance is the method to determine the energy which can be added to the 1 kg substance to increase the temperature by 1-degree Celsius.
- The specific heat capacity depends on the type of bond that is present in the molecule such as covalent bond, H-bond, Vander Waal bond, etc.
- This is the main reason behind the highest value of specific heat of the water than other liquids.
- Because hydrogen bonding is the strongest bond which is formed between the hydrogen and the most electronegative atom such as fluorine, oxygen and nitrogen.
- In water, the bond is formed between the hydrogen and oxygen which is also polar because there is a presence of partial negative charge on oxygen and a partial positive charge on hydrogen.
- Due to the strong bond, water needs the highest energy to break it and thus has the highest specific heat capacity.
So, the correct answer is “Option C”.

Note: Water has the high value of the dielectric constant that is around 78.4 but this does not relate to the specific heat capacity because high value of dielectric constant means that the ability of the ionic substance to dissociate into the water is high.