Question

What are the correct charges for the hydrogen and oxygen atoms within a water molecule?

a
the hydrogen atoms have a positive charge and the oxygen atom has a negative charge.
b
the hydrogen atoms negative charge and the oxygen atom has a neutral charge.
c
both the hydrogen and oxygen atoms have negative charges.
d
the hydrogen atoms have a negative charge and the oxygen atom has a positive charge.

Answer 1

Answer: The hydrogen atoms have a partial positive charge and the oxygen atom has a partial negative charge

Step-by-step explanation:

On the periodic table, O is closer to becoming a noble gas so it wants to attract 2 more electrons to complete its valence shell since it only has 6 but needs 8.

Each Hydrogen has 1 electron and 1 proton, so when they are with Oxygen which has a stronger attraction for electrons, they each donate 1 electron to the Oxygen. Now Oxygen has 2 more electrons than before (completing the shell and giving a charge of -2 since each electron is -1) and each hydrogen is left is only 1 proton making the charge of the hydrogens +1.