Waters ability to absorb heat (1 Viewer)

[Benny23118]

hey, im stuck on finding info for an assesment due tomorrow, can anyone: Explain why waters ability to absorb heat is important to aquatic organisms and to life on earth generally.

 

[kini mini]

Originally posted by Benny23118
hey, im stuck on finding info for an assesment due tomorrow, can anyone: Explain why waters ability to absorb heat is important to aquatic organisms and to life on earth generally.

Welcome to the forum and the board

I don't remember that dot point, are you in year 11? Sounds more like a prelim question. Anyway, IIRC water has a high heat capacity so it can absorb a lot of heat. This is important to aquatic creatures because they need a medium with a certain range of ambient temperatures to survive - water's high heat capacity ensures that this possible as heat is absorbed and not lost too quickly. This heat energy comes from the sun and to a lesser extent from volcanic vents on the sea floor. The heat energy stored in the oceans also helps to keep the rest of the Earth warm, which is essential for life on Earth generally.