Multiple Choice
Which term describes molecules that attract water or dissolve in it because of their polar nature?
1
views
13. Liquids, Solids & Intermolecular Forces
Molecular Polarity
Struggling with General Chemistry?
Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
Which of the following best explains why a water molecule (H_2O) is polar?
A
Both hydrogen atoms are more electronegative than oxygen, causing an even distribution of charge.
B
The oxygen atom is more electronegative than the hydrogen atoms, and the molecule has a bent shape.
C
Water has a linear molecular geometry, resulting in a nonpolar molecule.
D
The electrons are shared equally between oxygen and hydrogen atoms.
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand the concept of electronegativity, which is the tendency of an atom to attract electrons in a chemical bond. In a water molecule, oxygen and hydrogen atoms have different electronegativities.
Step 2: Recognize that oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen, meaning oxygen attracts the shared electrons in the O-H bonds more strongly than hydrogen does.
Step 3: Consider the molecular geometry of water. Water has a bent shape due to the two lone pairs of electrons on the oxygen atom, which affects the spatial arrangement of the atoms.
Step 4: Analyze how the bent shape combined with the difference in electronegativity causes an uneven distribution of electron density, creating a partial negative charge near oxygen and partial positive charges near the hydrogens.
Step 5: Conclude that this uneven charge distribution results in a polar molecule, with a dipole moment pointing from the hydrogen atoms toward the oxygen atom.
Related Videos
Related Practice
Molecular Polarity practice set
Problem sets built by lead tutorsExpert video explanations