hy is water so effective at hydrogen bonding?

Question

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

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

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

This is the reason water is effective at hydrogen bonding. The oxygen atom in water (H₂O) is highly electronegative, which means it has a strong tendency to attract electrons. As a result, the oxygen atom acquires a partial negative charge, while the hydrogen atoms acquire partial positive charges. This polarity allows for hydrogen bonds to form between water molecules and other molecules, contributing to water's unique properties.