Which of the Following Correctly Describes Water's Unique Properties

Question

Which of the following correctly describes water's unique properties?
A)Hydrogen bonds in liquid water form a crystalline structure.
B)Water has a low heat of vaporization resulting in the evaporative cooling effect we experience when we sweat.
C)Water has a low specific heat resulting in a significant amount of heat being released when hydrogen bonds form.
D)Water is a non-polar molecule because oxygen and hydrogen have the same electronegativities.
E)Water molecules like to stick together due to hydrogen bonding.

Accepted Answer

Water molecules like to stick together due to hydrogen bonding. This unique property is due to the partially positive hydrogen atoms attracting to the partially negative oxygen atoms of nearby water molecules, resulting in a cohesive force called hydrogen bonding. This property allows water molecules to form surface tension, capillary action, and allows for a relatively high boiling and melting point compared to other molecules of similar size.