How did this molecule form?

A positively charged molecule. This molecule consists of three hydrogen atoms bonded to an oxygen atom.

Two water molecules bonded.
Evaporation.
A water molecule split in half.
A water molecule gained an hydrogen ion from another water molecule.
A hydrogen molecule bonded with an OH- molecule.

1 answer

The positively charged molecule you are describing appears to be a hydronium ion (H₃O⁺), which forms when a water molecule (H₂O) gains a hydrogen ion (H⁺).

Among the options you provided, the correct way this molecule could form is:

A water molecule gained a hydrogen ion from another water molecule.

This occurs through the following process: When one water molecule (H₂O) donates a hydrogen ion (H⁺), it results in the formation of a hydronium ion (H₃O⁺), while the water molecule left behind becomes a hydroxide ion (OH⁻). This process is part of the self-ionization of water.