Multiple Choice
When a chloride ion (Cl^-) is surrounded by water molecules, which part of the water molecule is oriented toward the chloride ion?
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13. Liquids, Solids & Intermolecular Forces
Molecular Polarity
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Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
Which statement best explains why water (H_2O) is considered a polar molecule?
A
Water is polar because it contains ionic bonds between oxygen and hydrogen.
B
Water molecules have equal sharing of electrons between oxygen and hydrogen atoms, resulting in no charge separation.
C
Water is polar because its molecular shape is linear, causing the charges to be evenly distributed.
D
The oxygen atom attracts electrons more strongly than the hydrogen atoms, creating a partial negative charge on oxygen and a partial positive charge on hydrogen.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that polarity in molecules arises from differences in electronegativity between atoms and the shape of the molecule, which affects how charges are distributed.
Recognize that in water (H\_2O), oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen, meaning oxygen attracts the shared electrons in the covalent bonds more strongly.
Identify that this unequal sharing of electrons causes a partial negative charge (\u03B4-) on the oxygen atom and partial positive charges (\u03B4+) on the hydrogen atoms, creating a dipole moment.
Consider the molecular geometry of water, which is bent (not linear), so the dipoles do not cancel out but instead add up to give an overall polar molecule.
Conclude that water's polarity is due to both the difference in electronegativity between oxygen and hydrogen and the bent shape of the molecule, leading to an uneven distribution of charge.
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