Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the polarity of the molecule CH3CH2CH2CH3 (butane)?
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13. Liquids, Solids & Intermolecular Forces
Molecular Polarity
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In a water molecule (H_2O), which end of the molecule has a slightly positive charge?
A
The hydrogen end
B
The oxygen end
C
Neither end has a positive charge
D
Both ends have a positive charge
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the concept of electronegativity, which is the tendency of an atom to attract electrons towards itself in a chemical bond.
Recognize that in a water molecule (H\_2O), oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen, meaning oxygen pulls the shared electrons closer to itself.
Because oxygen attracts electrons more strongly, the electrons spend more time near the oxygen atom, giving the oxygen end a partial negative charge (δ-).
Conversely, the hydrogen atoms have less electron density around them, resulting in a partial positive charge (δ+) at the hydrogen end of the molecule.
Therefore, the hydrogen end of the water molecule has a slightly positive charge due to the unequal sharing of electrons caused by the difference in electronegativity.
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