Which of the following statements best describes the chemical properties of a water molecule?

• A. Water readily reacts with noble gases to form stable compounds.
• B. Water is a nonpolar molecule because its shape is linear.
• C. Water is a polar molecule due to the difference in electronegativity between hydrogen and oxygen.
• D. Water contains ionic bonds between hydrogen and oxygen atoms.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the molecular structure of water (H\_2O). Water has two hydrogen atoms covalently bonded to one oxygen atom, forming a bent (angular) shape rather than linear.
2. Understand the concept of electronegativity: Oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen, meaning it attracts shared electrons more strongly.
3. Recognize that because of the bent shape and difference in electronegativity, the electron distribution in water is uneven, creating a dipole moment.
4. Conclude that this uneven electron distribution makes water a polar molecule, with a partial negative charge near oxygen and partial positive charges near hydrogens.
5. Evaluate the other statements: water does not readily react with noble gases, it is not nonpolar, and the bonds between hydrogen and oxygen are covalent, not ionic.