types of bonds

Question

Why does water have a high specific heat? Please explain the answer.

Answer 1

The intermolecular forces holding water molecules together are mostly hydrogen bonds, and these are relatively strong forces.  Thus, it takes considerable energy, in the form of heat, to break these bonds.  This accounts for the high specific heat of water.  Recall specific heat is that amount of heat energy needed to raise 1 gram of water by 1 degree.