In a single water molecule (H_2O), which atom carries a slightly positive charge due to the molecule's polarity?

• A. Oxygen
• B. Neither hydrogen nor oxygen
• C. Hydrogen
• D. Both hydrogen and oxygen

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that water (H\_2O) is a polar molecule due to the difference in electronegativity between oxygen and hydrogen atoms.
2. Recall that oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen, meaning oxygen attracts the shared electrons in the covalent bonds more strongly.
3. Because oxygen pulls electron density toward itself, it acquires a partial negative charge (\delta-), while the hydrogen atoms have less electron density around them.
4. This results in the hydrogen atoms carrying a slight positive charge (\delta+), making them the atoms with a slightly positive charge in the water molecule.
5. Therefore, in a water molecule, the hydrogen atoms carry the slightly positive charge due to the molecule's polarity.