Which of the following terms most correctly describes the bonds in a molecule of water?


a. nonpolar covalent bond
b. polar covalent bond
c. ionic bond
d. hydrogen bond

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the types of bonds listed in the options: nonpolar covalent, polar covalent, ionic, and hydrogen bonds.
2. Understand the nature of a water molecule (H2O), which consists of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
3. Recall that in a water molecule, the oxygen atom is more electronegative than the hydrogen atoms, leading to an unequal sharing of electrons.
4. Recognize that this unequal sharing of electrons between oxygen and hydrogen atoms creates a partial negative charge on the oxygen and a partial positive charge on the hydrogens.
5. Conclude that the type of bond formed due to this unequal sharing of electrons in a water molecule is a polar covalent bond.

Key Concepts

Covalent Bonds

Covalent bonds are formed when two atoms share one or more pairs of electrons. In a polar covalent bond, the shared electrons are not equally distributed, leading to a partial positive charge on one atom and a partial negative charge on the other. This unequal sharing is crucial for understanding the properties of water.

Polarity

Polarity refers to the distribution of electrical charge over the atoms in a molecule. In water (H2O), the oxygen atom is more electronegative than the hydrogen atoms, causing the electrons to be drawn closer to oxygen. This results in a polar molecule with a slight negative charge near the oxygen and a slight positive charge near the hydrogens, which is essential for many of water's unique properties.

Hydrogen Bonds

Hydrogen bonds are weak attractions that occur between a hydrogen atom covalently bonded to an electronegative atom and another electronegative atom. In water, these bonds form between the hydrogen atoms of one water molecule and the oxygen atom of another, contributing to water's high boiling point and surface tension, but they are not the primary bonds within a water molecule itself.