Question

Sample Response: Dalton's theory about compounds tells us that all water molecules have different kinds of atoms, two hydrogen atoms for every one oxygen atom.

What did you include in your response? Check all that apply.

Water molecules are made of two different kinds of atoms.
All water molecules have twice as many hydrogen atoms as oxygen atoms.
All water molecules have one oxygen atom for every two hydrogen atoms.

Answer 1

Water (H2O) is a compound with a 2:1 ratio of hydrogen to oxygen atoms, and it is polar due to the uneven distribution of electrons.

Step-by-step explanation:

Understanding water's properties requires knowledge of its chemical structure. Water is a compound consisting of two elements: hydrogen and oxygen. In a water molecule, there are always two hydrogen atoms (H) for every one oxygen atom (O), represented by the chemical formula H2O. The fixed ratio of hydrogen to oxygen in water molecules is 2:1, regardless of the quantity of water.

Another critical feature of water is its polarity. The oxygen atom has a greater electronegativity, attracting electrons more strongly than hydrogen atoms, leading to a slight negative charge near the oxygen atom and a slight positive charge near the hydrogen atoms. A molecule like water, which exhibits a separation of charge, is known as a polar molecule, which contributes to water’s unique chemical properties.

Compounds are substances formed from two or more elements combined in a constant ratio. The smallest particle of a compound is called a molecule, a group of atoms bonded in a definite geometric arrangement. As a molecular compound, water's atoms are bonded together in a consistent ratio and shape, illustrating how elements bond to form compounds.