In a water molecule (H_2O), where is the majority of the negative charge located due to its dipole moment?

• A. Near the hydrogen atoms
• B. Near the oxygen atom
• C. Evenly distributed between all atoms
• D. Outside the molecule

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that a water molecule (H_2O) has a bent shape with oxygen at the center and two hydrogen atoms bonded to it.
2. Recall that oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen, meaning it attracts shared electrons in the covalent bonds more strongly.
3. Because of this difference in electronegativity, the shared electrons spend more time closer to the oxygen atom, creating a partial negative charge near oxygen.
4. This uneven distribution of electron density results in a dipole moment, where the oxygen end is partially negative and the hydrogen ends are partially positive.
5. Therefore, the majority of the negative charge in a water molecule is located near the oxygen atom due to its higher electronegativity and the molecule's dipole moment.