Why is water a polar molecule?

Question

Isabella Anderson · Accepted Answer

Because it has a net dipole moment.

Water #(H_2O)# is a polar molecule because the electrons of the hydrogen atoms get "pulled" towards the electrons of the oxygen atom. This makes a region of positive charge on the hydrogen atoms and the negative charge on the other end of the molecule, which is the oxygen atom.

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This also allows for hydrogen bonding.

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This also allows for hydrogen bonding.

Easton Bailey · Answer

undefined Water is a polar molecule because it has a slightly negative charge near its oxygen atom and slightly positive charges near its hydrogen atoms due to differences in electronegativity.

Connor Abernathy · Answer

undefined Water is a polar molecule because of its molecular structure and the distribution of its electrons. The water molecule (H2O) consists of two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom. Oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen, meaning it has a stronger pull on the shared electrons in the covalent bonds.

Due to this electronegativity difference, the oxygen atom in water develops a partial negative charge (denoted as δ-) because it attracts the shared electrons more strongly, pulling them closer to itself. Conversely, the hydrogen atoms acquire a partial positive charge (denoted as δ+) due to the loss of electron density to the oxygen atom.

This unequal distribution of charge within the water molecule creates a separation of positive and negative charges, making water a polar molecule. The polar nature of water results in several important properties, including its ability to form hydrogen bonds, high surface tension, and the ability to dissolve many substances, which are crucial for life processes and various chemical reactions.