Final answer:
The O-H bonds in H2O are polar covalent due to the electronegativity difference of 1.4 between hydrogen and oxygen, which creates a molecule with partial positive and negative charges.
Step-by-step explanation:
Using electronegativity values, the O-H bonds in H2O are polar covalent. The electronegativity value for hydrogen is 2.1, and for oxygen, it is 3.5.
The difference in electronegativity between oxygen and hydrogen is 3.5 - 2.1 = 1.4, which suggests that there is an unequal sharing of electrons, with the electrons being more strongly attracted to the more electronegative oxygen atom.
This results in the hydrogen atoms carrying a partial positive charge and the oxygen atom carrying a partial negative charge, making water a polar molecule.
Additionally, the polarity of the water molecule contributes to the formation of hydrogen bonds, which are interactions between the partially positive hydrogen atom of one water molecule and the partially negative oxygen of another water molecule. These hydrogen bonds are crucial for many of water's unique properties.