Final answer:
Water molecules are polar due to an uneven distribution of electrons which creates a slight negative charge on the oxygen atom and a slight positive charge on the hydrogen atoms, leading to hydrogen bonding.
Step-by-step explanation:
A characteristic of the polar water molecule is the inherent separation of charge due to the different electronegativities of hydrogen and oxygen atoms. Electrons in the water molecule (H₂O) are more attracted to the oxygen nucleus because it has a higher charge, with its eight protons, compared to hydrogen's one proton. This uneven distribution of electrons makes the oxygen end of the water molecule slightly negative, leaving the hydrogen ends slightly positive, thus creating a polar covalent bond. Because of these partial charges, water molecules attract each other through hydrogen bonds, which are stronger than most other intermolecular forces, and also attract other polar substances which are hydrophilic or "water-loving".