Question

One of the most important characteristics of the water molecule is its _____, which allows it to surround and attract both positive and negative ions.

Answer 1

Polarity

Step-by-step explanation:

Polarity in a substance or molecules arises when the two combining atoms have different electronegativities. As more electronegative atoms will attract the electrons from electropositive atoms toward itself.

Due to this, there will be development of partial positive charge on electropositive atoms and a partial negative charge on the electronegative atoms.

For example, in water (H₂O) due to the difference in electronegativities of the hydrogen and oxygen atoms, there is a partial positive charge on the hydrogen atoms and a partial negative charge on the oxygen atom.

Due to these charges it is able to attract ions of opposite charges that are surrounding.

Thus, we can conclude that one of the most important characteristics of the water molecule is it's polarity, which allows it to surround and attract both positive and negative ions.

Answer 2

Polarity

Step-by-step explanation:

Covalent bonds may be either polar or nonpolar. Polar molecules, such as water, are asymmetric molecules that have unbalanced electronegativity, leading to slight charges on the atoms within the molecule.

Water's polarity

The chemical equation for water is
`H_20`. In this molecule, oxygen has 2 unbonded electron pairs. This causes the molecule to have a bent geometry. Bent molecules are always polar due to the dipoles formed by the unshared electron pairs. These dipoles create a slight negative charge on the oxygen atom and a slight positive on the hydrogen atoms.

Intermolecular Forces

Due to the slight charges of a water molecule, the oxygen molecules attract positive ions, and the hydrogen atmos attract negative ions. This interaction is known as an ion-dipole intermolecular force (IMF).