Which of the following statements about water molecules is true?

• A. Water molecules form hydrogen bonds with each other, resulting in cohesion.
• B. Water molecules cannot adhere to other substances.
• C. Water molecules are nonpolar and do not interact with charged surfaces.
• D. Water molecules repel each other due to strong ionic bonds.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the properties of water molecules: Water is a polar molecule, meaning it has a partial positive charge on the hydrogen atoms and a partial negative charge on the oxygen atom. This polarity allows water molecules to interact with each other and other substances.
2. Learn about hydrogen bonding: Water molecules form hydrogen bonds due to the attraction between the partial positive charge of hydrogen in one molecule and the partial negative charge of oxygen in another molecule. This is a key property of water.
3. Define cohesion: Cohesion refers to the ability of water molecules to stick to each other due to hydrogen bonding. This property is responsible for phenomena like surface tension.
4. Clarify adhesion: Water molecules can also adhere to other substances, especially those with charged or polar surfaces, due to their polarity. This is different from cohesion, which involves water molecules sticking to each other.
5. Evaluate the incorrect statements: Water molecules are polar, not nonpolar, and they do not repel each other. They also do not form strong ionic bonds but rather hydrogen bonds. These incorrect statements can be ruled out based on the properties of water.