QQuestionChemistry
QuestionChemistry
Which statement best describes why a water molecule is polar?
A. Oxygen exerts a stronger pull on the shared electrons than the hydrogens do.
B. There are two hydrogen atoms, but only one oxygen atom.
C. Electrons are always shared equally.
D. Oxygen is bigger than hydrogen, giving it a stronger positive charge.
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Answer
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Step 1:I'll solve this step by step, focusing on the molecular structure and electron distribution.
Step 2:: Understand Electronegativity
- Electronegativity is the ability of an atom to attract shared electrons in a chemical bond - Oxygen has a higher electronegativity (3.44) compared to hydrogen (2.20)
Step 3:: Electron Sharing in Water
- In a water molecule ($$H_2O$$), the oxygen atom shares electrons with two hydrogen atoms
- Because oxygen is more electronegative, it pulls the shared electrons closer to itself - This unequal electron sharing creates an uneven charge distribution
Step 4:: Charge Separation
- The oxygen side becomes slightly negative ($$\delta^{-}$$)
- The hydrogen sides become slightly positive (\delta^{+}) - This creates a permanent dipole moment in the molecule
Step 5:: Evaluate the Options
- Option A is CORRECT: Oxygen exerts a stronger pull on the shared electrons than the hydrogens do - This unequal electron sharing creates the polar nature of the water molecule
Final Answer
Oxygen exerts a stronger pull on the shared electrons than the hydrogens do.
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