Water’s High Heat Capacity

Front

What is a change in temperature?

Back

A change in temperature can also include a change in state of matter, such as ice to liquid water.

Front

Why does ice melt slowly?

Back

When ice melts, the water molecules vibrate more rapidly, providing energy to break hydrogen bonds. Due to the large number of hydrogen bonds, melting takes time.

Front

What energy source is required for melting ice?

Back

Melting ice requires an energy source (heat) to break hydrogen bonds; without it, the bonds will not break.

Front

Why is the graph flat along the 0°C line of temperature?

Back

The graph is flat because hydrogen bonds are either forming or breaking, and it takes time for all of them to break.

Front

Define a calorie.

Back

A calorie equals the amount of heat energy necessary to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by one degree Celsius.

Front

What happens to water molecules when ice melts?

Back

Water molecules vibrate more rapidly, which helps to break the hydrogen bonds holding them together.

Front

What is the significance of hydrogen bonds in water?

Back

Hydrogen bonds are responsible for water's unique properties, including its high specific heat and surface tension.

Front

How does temperature affect the state of matter?

Back

Temperature changes can cause substances to change state, such as from solid to liquid (melting) or liquid to gas (evaporation).

Front

What is the role of heat in phase changes?

Back

Heat is required to break intermolecular forces during phase changes, such as melting or boiling.

Front

What is specific heat?

Back

Specific heat is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a unit mass of a substance by one degree Celsius.