Final answer:
Water molecules, being polar, have a partial positive charge on the hydrogen atoms and a partial negative charge on the oxygen atom, which leads to attraction to both positive and negative charges as explained by Coulomb's law. This polarity also allows water to serve as nucleation centers for rain droplets.
Step-by-step explanation:
In terms of Coulomb's law, water molecules are attracted by both positive and negative charges because water molecules are polar. This means that water has a slight positive charge on the side where the hydrogen atoms are and a slight negative charge on the side where the oxygen atom is. When a positive charge is near a water molecule, it is attracted to the negative side (oxygen) and repelled by the positive side (hydrogen). Conversely, when a negative charge is near, it is attracted to the positive side (hydrogen). Thus, due to these partial charges, water can interact with both positive and negative charges.
The polar nature of water also explains why it can serve as nucleation centers for rain droplets. Ions in the air, which carry charge, can help create stabilization points for the condensation of water molecules, leading to the formation of droplets. This is because the ionic charges attract the opposing charges of the polar water molecules, aiding in the process of nucleation.