Question

Which is a cause of polarity in water molecules?

partial negative charge on the hydrogen atoms

partial positive charge on the oxygen atomhigh electronegativity difference between oxygen and hydrogen low electronegativity difference between oxygen and hydrogen

Answer 1

the third option is correct

Step-by-step explanation:

high electronegativity difference between oxygen and hydrogen

Answer 2

high electronegativity difference between oxygen and hydrogen

Step-by-step explanation:

The electronegativity value of O and H are 3.5 and 2.1 respectively. The electronegativity difference of the O-H bond in H₂O is 1.4.

• When the elctronegativity difference between two atoms in bond is below 0.5 the bond is nonpolar covalent.
• When the elctronegativity difference between two atoms in bond is between 0.5 and 2.0 the bond is polar covalent.
• When the elctronegativity difference between two atoms in bond is above 0.5 the bond is ionic.

Thus the O-H is a polar covalent bond. This explains the polarity in water molecules.