Final answer:
The formation of hydrogen bonds requires hydrogen atoms and polar covalent bonds. Hydrogen atoms in polar covalent bonds have a slightly positive charge and are attracted to neighboring negative charges, forming weak interactions known as hydrogen bonds. Hydrogen bonds occur between water molecules and are responsible for many of water's unique properties.
Step-by-step explanation:
The formation of hydrogen bonds requires hydrogen atoms and polar covalent bonds.
When polar covalent bonds containing hydrogen form, the hydrogen in that bond has a slightly positive charge because hydrogen's electron is pulled more strongly toward the other element and away from the hydrogen. Because the hydrogen is slightly positive, it will be attracted to neighboring negative charges. When this happens, a weak interaction occurs between the hydrogen's 6 from one molecule and the molecule's 6 charge on another molecule with the more electronegative atoms, usually oxygen. Scientists call this interaction a hydrogen bond. This type of bond is common and occurs regularly between water molecules. Individual hydrogen bonds are weak and easily broken, however, they occur in very large numbers in water and in organic polymers, creating a major force in combination. Hydrogen bonds are also responsible for zipping together the DNA double helix.