The Water Molecule is Polar Because

Question

The water molecule is polar because:
A) Electrons are not distributed symmetrically in the molecule.
B) The hydrogen atoms are found on one "side" of the molecule.
C) Hydrogen is less electronegative than oxygen.
D) The hydrogen atoms are found on one "side" of the molecule and hydrogen is less electronegative than oxygen.
E) All of these are correct.

Accepted Answer

All the statements contribute to explaining why water molecules are polar. Electrons are not symmetrically distributed because of the difference in electronegativity between hydrogen and oxygen, leading to a partial negative charge near the oxygen atom and a partial positive charge near the hydrogen atoms. This asymmetry, along with the molecular geometry where hydrogen atoms are on one side, results in a polar molecule.