In a Single Molecule of Water, Two Hydrogen Atoms Are

Question

In a single molecule of water, two hydrogen atoms are bonded to a single oxygen atom by
A) hydrogen bonds.
B) nonpolar covalent bonds.
C) polar covalent bonds.
D) ionic bonds.
E) van der Waals interactions.

Accepted Answer

The two hydrogen atoms are bonded to the oxygen atom through polar covalent bonds, which means that the electrons in the covalent bond are not shared equally between the hydrogen and oxygen atoms. This results in a partial positive charge on the hydrogen atoms and a partial negative charge on the oxygen atom, making water a polar molecule.