The partial charges in a water molecule occur because of _____.

• A. the difference in electronegativity between hydrogen and oxygen
• B. the ionic bonding between hydrogen and oxygen
• C. the equal sharing of electrons between hydrogen and oxygen
• D. the presence of double bonds in the molecule

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that partial charges in a molecule arise due to differences in how electrons are shared between atoms.
2. Recall that electronegativity is a measure of an atom's ability to attract electrons in a bond.
3. Recognize that in a water molecule (H\_2O), oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen, causing electrons to be pulled closer to oxygen.
4. This unequal sharing of electrons leads to a partial negative charge on oxygen and partial positive charges on the hydrogens.
5. Therefore, the partial charges occur because of the difference in electronegativity between hydrogen and oxygen, not because of ionic bonding, equal sharing, or double bonds.