Milo is boiling water, but it is taking a long time for the water to reach its boiling point. Which of the following BEST describes why?
A: Water takes little energy to heat
B: Water has low thermal conductivity
C: Water has high heat capacity
D: Water is the universal solvent
C: Water has high heat capacity
Water has a high heat capacity, which means it requires a significant amount of energy to raise its temperature. Therefore, it will take longer to reach its boiling point compared to substances with lower heat capacities.
The best answer to describe why it is taking a long time for the water to reach its boiling point would be C: Water has high heat capacity.
To determine the best answer, let's analyze each option and understand how it affects the time taken for water to reach its boiling point.
A: Water takes little energy to heat - This statement suggests that water requires a small amount of energy to heat up. If this were true, it would not explain why it is taking a long time for the water to boil. Therefore, option A is not the best answer.
B: Water has low thermal conductivity - Thermal conductivity refers to the ability of a material to conduct heat. If water has low thermal conductivity, it means it does not transfer heat efficiently. This could explain why it is taking a long time for the water to reach its boiling point, as the heat is not easily spreading throughout the water. Option B is a plausible answer.
C: Water has high heat capacity - Heat capacity refers to the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a substance. If water has high heat capacity, it means it can absorb a significant amount of heat energy before its temperature increases. In this case, it could require more time to heat the water to its boiling point due to its high heat capacity. Option C is a possible answer.
D: Water is the universal solvent - This statement refers to the ability of water to dissolve a wide range of substances. While water being the universal solvent is a significant characteristic, it does not directly explain why it is taking a long time for the water to boil. Therefore, option D is unlikely the best answer.
Based on the explanations above, the BEST answer is either B: Water has low thermal conductivity or C: Water has high heat capacity. Further information or context may be needed to determine the most suitable option.