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

Answer: B) water molecule has a bent shape.

Explanation: Water is a covalent compound formed by sharing of electrons between hydrogen and oxygen. Oxygen is more electronegative as compared to hydrogen and thus attracts the electron pairs towards itself and thus is polar.

Hybridization and shape of
`H_2O`

`:{\text{Number of electrons}} =(1)/(2)[V+N-C+A]`

where, V = number of valence electrons present in central atom i.e. oxygen = 6

N = number of monovalent atoms bonded to central atom=32

C = charge of cation = 0

A = charge of anion = 0

`{\text{Number of electrons}} =(1)/(2)[6+2-0+0]=4`

The number of electrons is 4 that means the hybridization will be
`sp^3` and the electronic geometry of the molecule will be tetrahedral.

But as there are two atoms around the central oxygen, the third and fourth position will be occupied by lone pair of electrons. The repulsion between lone and bond pair of electrons is more and hence the molecular geometry will be bent.

Answer 2

Answer;

B) water molecule has a bent shape.

Explanation;

• Water molecules are polar molecules because of their shape. Water molecules have one side that is positively charged due to hydrogen atom which is partially positive and the other side which is negatively charged, due to the oxygen atom.

• When two molecules get close to each other the polar forces of attraction brings them close to each other. Oxygen bonds with several hydrogen atoms in the other water molecules resulting to hydrogen bonds.