College

Oxygen is a highly electronegative atom. What influence does this property have on water molecules?

A. Confers a trigonal shape.
B. Confers polarity.
C. Confers a linear shape.
D. Confers low specific heat.

Answer :

Final answer:

Oxygen being electronegative confers polarity on water molecules, which leads to the formation of hydrogen bonds and strong intermolecular interactions. Option B is correct.

Explanation:

Oxygen is a highly electronegative atom. When oxygen forms a bond with hydrogen in water molecules, the electrons are pulled towards the oxygen atom, creating two polar bonds.

As a result, water molecules become more polar than the bonds in other hydrides in the group. The polar nature of water molecules confers polarity on them.

This polarity leads to the formation of hydrogen bonds between water molecules, which are essential for water's strong intermolecular interactions.

Final answer:

Oxygen's high electronegativity confers polarity to water molecules.


Explanation:

Oxygen's high electronegativity confers polarity to water molecules.


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