How does electronegativity affect the interactions between water molecules?

• A. It decreases the hydrogen bonding between water molecules.
• B. It increases the hydrogen bonding between water molecules.
• C. It has no effect on the hydrogen bonding between water molecules.
• D. It causes water molecules to repel each other.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Electronegativity is a measure of an atom's ability to attract and hold onto electrons. In water molecules, oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen.
2. Due to the difference in electronegativity between oxygen and hydrogen, the oxygen atom in a water molecule attracts the shared electrons more strongly, creating a partial negative charge on the oxygen and a partial positive charge on the hydrogen.
3. This charge separation leads to the formation of polar covalent bonds within the water molecule, making water a polar molecule.
4. The polarity of water molecules allows them to form hydrogen bonds, which are weak interactions between the partially positive hydrogen atom of one water molecule and the partially negative oxygen atom of another water molecule.
5. Higher electronegativity of oxygen enhances the polarity of water molecules, thereby increasing the strength and number of hydrogen bonds between water molecules, leading to stronger interactions.