Oceans and seas can act as a heat reservoir to regulate climates. They can absorb great quantities of heat in the summer, with very little temperature change. In the winter, oceans and seas release the heat. This is the main reason why coastal climates are milder compared to inland climates. Which choice correctly explains this phenomenon? the high specific heat of water caused by hydrogen bonding the high specific heat of water caused by hydrogen bonding the high freezing point of water caused by the strength of its covalent bonds the high freezing point of water caused by the strength of its covalent bonds the high boiling point of water caused by hydrogen bonding the high boiling point of water caused by hydrogen bonding the high heat of vaporization of water caused by nonpolar bonds

The high specific heat of water caused by hydrogen bonding

Explanation:

Specific heat capacity of a substance is the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of a unit mass of that substance by one degree Celsius (1° C).

Due to the hydrogen bonding present in water, water has a high specific heat capacity of 4184 Joules per kilogram. This means that, water has to absorb 4,184 Joules of heat for the temperature of one kilogram of water to increase 1°C. When compared to other substances such as metals, this is very high. For example, the specific heat capacity of copper is 385  Joules per kilogram which means that it only takes 385 Joules of heat to raise 1 kilogram of copper 1°C.

Therefore water, can absorb a large quantity of heat with very little changes in its temperature. This property of water helps the oceans and seas to serve as heat reservoirs by absorbing a large quantity of heat in hotter seasons and releasing these heat in colder seasons.