The water molecule H2O is polar because it contains two polar single bonds and:

• A. has equal sharing of electrons between hydrogen and oxygen atoms
• B. has a bent molecular geometry resulting in an uneven distribution of charge
• C. contains only nonpolar covalent bonds
• D. has a linear molecular geometry resulting in a symmetrical distribution of charge

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that polarity in molecules arises from differences in electronegativity between atoms and the shape of the molecule, which affects the distribution of charge.
2. Recognize that the O-H bonds in water are polar because oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen, causing an uneven sharing of electrons in each bond.
3. Recall that the molecular geometry of water is bent (angular) due to the two lone pairs of electrons on the oxygen atom, which repel the hydrogen atoms and create an angle less than 180°.
4. Understand that this bent shape causes the dipole moments of the two O-H bonds to not cancel out, resulting in an overall molecular dipole moment (polar molecule).
5. Conclude that the polarity of water is due to both the polar bonds and the bent molecular geometry, which leads to an uneven distribution of charge across the molecule.