Which of the following properties of water would be most important in protecting a fish in a shallow pond on a hot summer day?
A. the low density of water in the solid phase
B. water's strong forces of adhesion
C. the high specific heat of water
D. water's solvent properties
Not sure?
C. because a high specific heat means that it will take a lot of sunshine to raise the temperature of the water. The water won't get too hot for the fish.
To determine which property of water would be most important in protecting a fish in a shallow pond on a hot summer day, let's look at each option:
A. The low density of water in the solid phase (ice) is not likely to be relevant in this situation. While it's true that ice is less dense than water, and it floats, this property wouldn't directly protect a fish from the heat.
B. Water's strong forces of adhesion refer to the ability of water molecules to stick to other substances. While adhesion is important for various processes in nature, it is not directly related to protecting a fish in a shallow pond on a hot summer day.
C. The high specific heat of water is a crucial property for the fish's protection. Specific heat is the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a substance. Water has a relatively high specific heat, which means it can absorb a significant amount of heat energy without rapidly increasing in temperature. This property allows water to act as a heat sink, protecting the fish from sudden temperature changes and preventing overheating.
D. Water's solvent properties refer to its ability to dissolve other substances. While important for various biological processes, this property is not directly linked to protecting a fish in this scenario.
Therefore, the correct answer would be C. the high specific heat of water.