AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The high heat capacity of water also explains why the temperatures of land near a body of water are more moderate. The high heat capacity of water keeps its temperature within a relatively narrow range, causing nearby coastal areas to also have a narrow daily and seasonal temperature range.

Detailed explanation-2: -Increased energy disrupts the hydrogen bonds between water molecules. Because these bonds can be created and disrupted rapidly, water absorbs an increase in energy and temperature changes only minimally. This means that water moderates temperature changes within organisms and in their environments.

Detailed explanation-3: -Water is such a good coolant because it has a high specific heat capacity. Specific heat capacity is the ability to absorb heat without changing temperature. Thus, water absorbs heat easily, but changes temperature very slowly.

Detailed explanation-4: -The density and specific heat capacity are given for methane and water in a liquid state. The data shows that water has a higher specific heat capacity, higher latent heat of vaporization, higher melting point and higher boiling point. Whereas methane is liquid over a range of only 22 °C, water is liquid over 100 °C.

Detailed explanation-5: -This is useful as a coolant since water absorbs a lot of heat in order to raise its temperature when it evaporates it takes a lot of heat with it.