Why is water so effective at hydrogen bonding?

Question

Choose 1 answer:
Choose 1 answer:
(Choice A) There are two hydrogens, doubling the positive charge on the water molecule.
A
There are two hydrogens, doubling the positive charge on the water molecule.
(Choice B) Oxygen is very electronegative and strongly attracts hydrogen's electron.
B
Oxygen is very electronegative and strongly attracts hydrogen's electron.
(Choice C) Hydrogen is more electronegative than oxygen, so it is more likely to donate its electrons to oxygen.
C
Hydrogen is more electronegative than oxygen, so it is more likely to donate its electrons to oxygen.
(Choice D) The hydrogens in water are ionically bonded to the oxygen.
D
The hydrogens in water are ionically bonded to the oxygen.

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

(Choice B) Oxygen is very electronegative and strongly attracts hydrogen's electron.

This is because the electronegativity difference between oxygen and hydrogen creates partial charges within the water molecule (H₂O), leading to polar covalent bonds. The oxygen atom pulls the shared electrons closer to itself, giving it a slight negative charge, while the hydrogen atoms have a slight positive charge. This polarity allows water molecules to form hydrogen bonds with one another and with other polar molecules.