Question

Water molecules are polar because the...

a) water molecule has a linear shape
b) water molecule has a bent shape
c) oxygen atom has fewer electrons around it
d) hydrogen atom forms an ionic bond with oxygen

Answer 1

B) water has a bent shape, this would be correct given that VSEPR theory and molecular geometry classify this as a polar shaped compound

Answer 2

b) water molecule has a bent shape

Step-by-step explanation:

In the context of chemical bonds, polarity refers to the separation of charges i.e. the distribution of electrons between the atoms constituting the bond. This charge separation creates a dipole.

Similarly polar molecules are made of polar bonds in which the bond dipoles add up such that there is a net dipole moment.

In water(H2O), the central O atom is more electronegative than H which creates a dipole directed towards the O atom. In addition, due bent shape of H2O the dipole moments add up (instead of cancelling out if it were linear) resulting in a net dipole which makes water polar.