Question

Select all of the following that are true about the structure of water molecules.

A. Water is an atom.
B. Hydrogen atoms in a water molecule have a slight negative charge.
C. The bonds of a water molecule are polar.
D. A water molecule has one oxygen atom 2 and two hydrogen atoms.
E. The oxygen atom in a water molecule has a slight positive charge.

Answer 1

Regarding the structure of water molecules, the true statements are that water molecules have polar bonds (C) and consist of one oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms (D).

Step-by-step explanation:

In examining which statements about the structure of water molecules are true, we should consider the following:

• Water is not an atom, but a molecule consisting of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom (H₂O). Thus, option A is false.
• Due to the difference in electronegativity between oxygen and hydrogen, the hydrogen atoms in a water molecule have a slight positive charge, contradicting option B, which is false.
• The bonds within a water molecule are indeed polar covalent bonds because of the unequal sharing of electrons, making option C true.
• It is correct that a water molecule contains one oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms, confirming option D as true.
• The oxygen atom in a water molecule has a slight negative charge, not a positive one as option E claims, making it false.

Therefore, the accurate statements about water's chemical structure are C (water molecules have polar bonds) and D (a water molecule consists of one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms).