Water is a ______ molecule.

• A. nonpolar
• B. ionic
• C. polar
• D. metallic

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the nature of water (H\_2O) by examining its molecular structure and bonding.
2. Recognize that water has a bent molecular shape due to the two lone pairs on the oxygen atom, which affects the distribution of charge.
3. Recall that oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen, causing the O-H bonds to be polar covalent bonds with partial negative charge on oxygen and partial positive charges on hydrogens.
4. Because of the bent shape, the dipole moments of the O-H bonds do not cancel out, resulting in an overall molecular dipole moment.
5. Conclude that water is a polar molecule due to its bent shape and polar bonds, which leads to an uneven distribution of electron density.