Heat Capacity of Water

[Katelyn B 2E]

Can someone explain why the heat capacity of water is so high? Is it because it takes more energy to break H20's hydrogen bonds?

[DianaTrujillo2K]

You are correct. It takes a lot of energy to break the hydrogen bonds in water. Also water is slightly polar so energy is also needed to break the bonds between H2O molecules.

[Kayla Tchorz-Dis 1F]

the hydrogen bonds are very difficult to break so therefore it has a high heat capacity because it reuqires a lot of energy to break these bonds

[miznaakbar]

So based off how water's heat capacity is dependent upon its hydrogen bonds, does that mean heat capacity for other substances is dependent upon their intermolecular forces? Or are there other factors that affect heat capacity?

[Ya Gao]

Heat capacity of water is high because the hydrogen bonds that make up water are considered strong bonds. They are hard to break.