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Why is water so effective at hydrogen bonding?

Choose 1 answer:

(Choice A)

The hydrogens in water are ionically bonded to the oxygen.

(Choice B)

Hydrogen is more electronegative than oxygen, so it is more likely to donate its electrons to oxygen.

(Choice C)

Oxygen is very electronegative and strongly attracts hydrogen's electron.

(Choice D)

There are two hydrogens, doubling the positive charge on the water molecule.

User Dexterous
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1 Answer

6 votes

Final answer:

Water is effective at hydrogen bonding because it is a polar molecule. The oxygen atom is highly electronegative, attracting electrons more strongly than the hydrogen atoms. This creates a dipole and allows the positive end of one water molecule to attract the negative end of another water molecule, forming hydrogen bonds.

Step-by-step explanation:

Water is so effective at hydrogen bonding because it is a polar molecule. The oxygen atom in a water molecule is highly electronegative, meaning it attracts electrons more strongly than the hydrogen atoms. As a result, the oxygen atom becomes partially negative and the hydrogen atoms become partially positive. This creates a dipole, with a positive end (hydrogen) and a negative end (oxygen). The positive end of one water molecule is attracted to the negative end of another water molecule, forming a hydrogen bond.

User HummingV
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