91Ó°ÊÓ

What are three examples of how the characteristics of water are important in maintaining life? a. First, the lower density of water as a solid versus a liquid allows ice to float, forming an insulating surface layer for aquatic life. Second, the high specific heat capacity of water insulates aquatic life or bodily fluids from temperature changes. Third. the high heat of vaporization of water. allows animals to cool themselves by sweating. b. First, the higher density of water as a solid versus a liquid allows ice to float, forming an insulating surface layer for aquatic life. Second, the high specific heat capacity of water insulates aquatic life or bodily fluids from temperature changes. Third, the low heat of vaporization of water allows animals to cool themselves by sweating. C. First, the lower density of water as a solid versus a liquid allows ice to float, forming an insulating surface layer for aquatic life. Second, the low specific heat capacity of water insulates aquatic life or bodily fluids from temperature changes. Third, the high heat of vaporization of water allows animals to cool themselyes by sweating. d. First, the lower density of water as a solid versus a liquid allows ice to float, forming an insulating surface layer for aquatic life. Second, the low specific heat capacity of water insulates aquatic life or bodily fluids from temperature changes. Third, the low heat of vaporization of water allows animals to cool themselves by sweating.

Step by step solution

01

- Analyzing the Given Choices

Review all four provided answers (a, b, c, and d) and note the characteristics of water mentioned: density as solid versus liquid, specific heat capacity, and heat of vaporization.

02

- Understanding True Characteristics of Water

Identify true characteristics of water: 1. Water has a lower density as a solid (ice) than as a liquid, which allows ice to float. 2. Water has a high specific heat capacity, which helps in regulating temperature. 3. Water has a high heat of vaporization, which helps animals cool themselves through sweating.

03

- Evaluate Each Option Based on True Characteristics

Compare each choice with the correct characteristics: - Option a: Correctly mentions lower density of ice, high specific heat capacity, and high heat of vaporization. - Option b: Incorrectly states higher density of ice and low heat of vaporization. - Option c: Incorrectly states low specific heat capacity. - Option d: Incorrectly states low specific heat capacity and low heat of vaporization.

04

- Selecting the Correct Answer

Since only option (a) accurately describes all three true characteristics of water, select (a) as the correct answer.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

• Full Textbook Solutions

  Get detailed explanations and key concepts

• Unlimited Al creation

  Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

• Ads-free access

  To over 500 millions flashcards

• Money-back guarantee

  We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!

Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Density of Water

Water has a unique characteristic where its solid form, ice, is less dense than its liquid form. This means ice floats on water. This is crucial for aquatic life because:

• In winter, ice forms on the surface of lakes and ponds, creating an insulating layer that protects aquatic life from freezing temperatures.
• If ice were denser and sank, the entire water column could freeze, making it impossible for many aquatic species to survive.

The lower density of ice is due to the hydrogen bond networks in water, which expand as water freezes, creating a lattice structure that takes up more space and decreases density.
Understanding this property of water helps us appreciate how ecosystems survive harsh conditions.

Specific Heat Capacity

Specific heat capacity refers to the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a substance. Water has a high specific heat capacity, which means it can absorb a lot of heat energy before its temperature rises significantly. This property has several important implications for life:

• Large bodies of water, like oceans and lakes, can absorb and store vast amounts of heat, moderating the climate by preventing drastic temperature fluctuations.
• In organisms, water helps stabilize internal body temperatures, as it is an excellent conductor of heat within cells and tissues.

Water’s high specific heat capacity is primarily due to hydrogen bonding, which requires a lot of energy to break.
This makes water ideal for maintaining life by buffering against extreme changes in temperature.

Heat of Vaporization

The heat of vaporization is the amount of heat energy required to turn a liquid into gas. Water has a high heat of vaporization, which means it needs to absorb significant energy to evaporate. This property is vital for thermoregulation in living organisms:

• When animals sweat, the body releases water onto the skin’s surface. As this water evaporates, it absorbs a lot of heat energy, cooling the body down.
• Plants also use evaporation through a process called transpiration to cool themselves and maintain moisture levels.

The high heat of vaporization of water is again due to the hydrogen bonds, which need a great deal of energy to be broken before molecules can escape into the air.
This makes water an efficient substance for cooling mechanisms in biological systems.