A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. None
- Water molecules consist of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. The two hydrogen atoms in water molecule are bonded covalently with the oxygen atom. Due to the difference in electronegativity between hydrogen and oxygen atoms, the electrons in the bond are pulled closer to the oxygen atom, which gives the oxygen atom a slightly negative charge and the hydrogen atoms a slightly positive charge. This results in a polar molecule where the oxygen end is slightly negative and the hydrogen end is slightly positive.
- These partial charges on the water molecule allow it to form hydrogen bonds with other water molecules. Hydrogen bonding occurs when the hydrogen atom of one water molecule is attracted to the electronegative oxygen atom of another water molecule. In a stable water molecule, the hydrogen atoms participate in two hydrogen bonds with the surrounding oxygen atoms of neighboring water molecules, and the oxygen atom participates in two hydrogen bonds with the surrounding hydrogen atoms of neighboring water molecules. This allows a water molecule to form a maximum of four hydrogen bonds with surrounding water molecules.
Submitted by :- Jamil Ahmed