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Ch. 2 - The Chemistry of Microbiology
Bauman - Microbiology with Diseases by Taxonomy 6th Edition
Bauman6th EditionMicrobiology with Diseases by TaxonomyISBN: 9780134832302Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 2, Problem 5

Which of the following terms most correctly describes the bonds in a molecule of water?


a. Nonpolar covalent bond
b. Polar covalent bond
c. Ionic bond
d. Hydrogen bond

Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the types of bonds listed in the options. A nonpolar covalent bond involves equal sharing of electrons between atoms, while a polar covalent bond involves unequal sharing of electrons, creating partial charges.
Step 2: Recall the structure of a water molecule (H₂O). It consists of one oxygen atom bonded to two hydrogen atoms. Oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen, meaning it attracts electrons more strongly.
Step 3: Because oxygen attracts electrons more strongly, the electrons in the O-H bonds are shared unequally, resulting in a partial negative charge near oxygen and partial positive charges near the hydrogens.
Step 4: This unequal sharing of electrons in the O-H bonds classifies these bonds as polar covalent bonds, not nonpolar covalent, ionic, or hydrogen bonds (hydrogen bonds occur between molecules, not within a single molecule).
Step 5: Therefore, the correct term to describe the bonds within a water molecule is 'polar covalent bond'.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Polar Covalent Bonds

Polar covalent bonds occur when two atoms share electrons unequally due to differences in electronegativity, resulting in partial positive and negative charges within the molecule. In water, oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen, causing the shared electrons to be pulled closer to oxygen, creating polarity.
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Nonpolar Covalent Bonds

Nonpolar covalent bonds involve equal sharing of electrons between atoms with similar electronegativities, resulting in no significant charge separation. Molecules like O2 or N2 typically have nonpolar covalent bonds, unlike water where the bond is polar.
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Hydrogen Bonds

Hydrogen bonds are weak intermolecular attractions between a hydrogen atom covalently bonded to an electronegative atom (like oxygen) and another electronegative atom nearby. In water, hydrogen bonds form between molecules, not within the bonds holding the atoms together.
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