Hydrosphere Contents

2. Properties Of Water

Heat capacity

The heat capacity of a liquid is the amount of energy (heat) required to increase the temperature of that liquid by a given number of degrees. Water has the highest heat capacity of any liquid except ammonia. Since two-thirds of the Earth's surface is covered with water, this means that extreme temperatures are moderated. For example, the climate of the UK varies by relatively little on average between winter and summer due to us being surrounded by water on all sides. In continental Siberia typical temperatures range from -13°C in winter to 47°C in summer, while maritime Britain rarely experiences winter temperatures lower than -5°C or summer temperatures higher than 33°C.

Britain has a maritime climate with a relatively small seasonal temperature fluctuation due to the large heat capacity of water surrounding the island.

What is the heat capacity of a liquid?