Which of the following is a well known property of water that helps support life and regulate environmental conditions on Earth?

Introduction / Context:
Water is often called a unique substance because of its many unusual properties, many of which are essential for life. These properties include its polarity, its ability to dissolve many substances, and its high specific heat capacity. This question asks you to identify which of the listed properties are true characteristics of water.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- Water molecules have a bent shape and polar covalent bonds between hydrogen and oxygen.
- Water interacts strongly with other charged and polar substances.
- Water can store significant heat without large temperature changes.

Concept / Approach:
The polarity of water arises from the difference in electronegativity between oxygen and hydrogen and from the molecule’s bent geometry. This polarity allows water molecules to attract ions and other polar molecules, making water an excellent solvent. Water’s high specific heat is due to hydrogen bonding between molecules and allows oceans and lakes to moderate climate by absorbing heat without large temperature swings. All three properties mentioned are genuine and important characteristics of water.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that water has a partial negative charge near the oxygen atom and partial positive charges near the hydrogen atoms, which is high polarity. Step 2: Recognize that this polarity allows water to surround ions and polar molecules, dissolving substances like salts and sugars, which is why it is often called a universal solvent in biology. Step 3: Remember that water has a high specific heat, meaning it takes a lot of energy to raise its temperature, which is important for climate regulation and maintaining stable body temperatures. Step 4: Verify that each property listed (high polarity, universal solvent behavior, high specific heat) is correct. Step 5: Choose the option that states all of the above are properties of water.

Verification / Alternative check:
Biology and chemistry courses both emphasize these three properties. Diagrams show water molecules attracting ions such as sodium and chloride, illustrating polarity and solvent properties. Climate graphs and discussions of ocean heat storage highlight the high specific heat of water. Together, these sources confirm that all the listed properties belong to water.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A: High polarity is correct but incomplete because it ignores the other important properties mentioned.
Option B: Calling water a universal solvent is a common way to describe its ability to dissolve many substances, but this is only one aspect of its behavior.
Option C: High specific heat is also correct, yet the question allows you to select a more complete option that includes all relevant properties.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners misunderstand the phrase universal solvent and assume water dissolves everything, which is not true. It dissolves many ionic and polar compounds but not nonpolar substances like oils. Another pitfall is to focus only on one property while forgetting that multiple properties work together to make water so important for life.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is all of the above important physical and chemical properties of water because water is highly polar, acts as a versatile solvent, and has a high specific heat capacity, all of which are crucial for biological and environmental systems.