Multiple Choice
When are anions formed?
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2. Atoms & Elements
Ions
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When hydrogen atoms in a water molecule experience an unequal pull of electrons due to the electronegativity of oxygen, what is the resulting partial charge on each hydrogen atom?
A
A partial negative charge (δ-)
B
A full positive charge (+1)
C
No charge; they remain neutral
D
A partial positive charge (δ+)
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that in a water molecule (H\_2O), oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen, meaning oxygen attracts the shared electrons in the O-H bonds more strongly.
Because electrons spend more time closer to oxygen, the oxygen atom gains a partial negative charge (δ-), while the hydrogen atoms lose some electron density.
This loss of electron density on each hydrogen atom results in each hydrogen having a partial positive charge (δ+), not a full positive charge or no charge.
Recognize that these partial charges are due to polar covalent bonding, where electrons are shared unequally between atoms.
Therefore, the correct description of the charge on each hydrogen atom in water is a partial positive charge (δ+).
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