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A-Level Biology OCR A

Water Heat High Lot Energy Explain Polar Nature

Water functions as a coolant due to its high thermal stability and high latent heat of vaporization, properties influenced by hydrogen bonding.

Water's high thermal stability and high latent heat of vaporization, both due to hydrogen bonding, make it an effective coolant.

Front Explain why the polar nature of water allows it to be a useful coolant.
Back Water as a coolant
  • Because of its high thermal stability (high specific heat capacity) meaning it requires a lot of heat gain or loss to change its temperature
  • It also has a high latent heat of vaporisation (large amount of energy is needed to convert liquid water into gas)
  • Hydrogen bonding holds water molecules together, it takes a lot of energy to overcome them in order to release the particles and cause water to melt/evaporate

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