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Water is polar because of the difference in electronegativity between oxygen and hydrogen, and the shape of the molecule. Each H-O bond is polar, and, because of the large, electronegative oxygen atom, the molecule is bent so that the partially negative oxygen atom is at one pole of the molecule and the partially positive hydrogen atoms are at the opposite pole of the molecule.

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Q: Is water polar because the hydrogens or because the electronegativity?
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Why is the structure of a water molecule polar?

Since oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen, you get something called a "dipole moment," making the oxygen slightly negative because of the unequal sharing of electrons. This makes the hydrogen slightly positive since the oxygen atom is more electronegative (I like to think of it as being "hungry for electrons"); the electrons spend more time orbiting the oxygen than they do the hydrogens. Therefore the oxygen is slightly (or delta) negative and the hydrogen, since the electrons spend less time in orbit around the hydrogen, is delta (slightly) positive since an electron has a negative charge. O-H bonds are polar because O and H have different electronegativity values. The vector sum of the two bond dipoles is nonzero. (That is, they are not pointing in exact opposite directions.)


Why are electrons in a water molecule polar?

Electrons aren't polar, they're charged. Water molecules themselves are polar, because the electrons tend to hang around the oxygen more than they do around the hydrogens, rendering the oxygen end slightly negative in comparison.


What does electronegativity allow water to do?

The higher electronegativity of oxygen allows water to carry partial charges (negative on oxygen, positive on hydrogen). These partial charges allow water to bind strongly with itself, and allows it to interact with polar molecules. The partial charge allows polar molecules to dissolve in water.


Water molecules are polar with the?

Water molecules are polar because of the large electronegativity difference between the oxygen and hydrogen atoms. The oxygen atom is more electronegative than the hydrogen atoms. This causes the oxygen end of the molecule to have a slightly negative charge, and the hydrogen end to have a slightly positive charge.


Is water polar?

Water (H2O) is a polar a molecule to the electronegativity of oxygen (O) and its dipole moment. Also, the two O atoms are slightly negative as opposed to the hydrogen lending two the molecules bent shape.

Related questions

Would a molecule with polar covalent bonds be soluble in water?

Yes, in chemistry polar molecules are soluble with other polar molecules. You know that water is polar because of it's structure. Two hydrogens are bonded the an oxygen. The oxygen has two lone pairs of electrons that cause the molecule to have a bent VSEPR structure. This creates a net dipole due to the high electronegativity of oxygen. Essentially, the oxygen is slightly negative and the hydrogens slightly positive. So, yes your polar molecule is soluble with water (also polar).


Who is the most polar molecule between HCl and water?

Water is more polar because O has an electronegativity value of 3.5 whereas Cl has value of 3.0


Water is polar or non polar?

Water is polar molecule since oxygen has a higher electronegativity than hydrogen.


Why is the structure of a water molecule polar?

Since oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen, you get something called a "dipole moment," making the oxygen slightly negative because of the unequal sharing of electrons. This makes the hydrogen slightly positive since the oxygen atom is more electronegative (I like to think of it as being "hungry for electrons"); the electrons spend more time orbiting the oxygen than they do the hydrogens. Therefore the oxygen is slightly (or delta) negative and the hydrogen, since the electrons spend less time in orbit around the hydrogen, is delta (slightly) positive since an electron has a negative charge. O-H bonds are polar because O and H have different electronegativity values. The vector sum of the two bond dipoles is nonzero. (That is, they are not pointing in exact opposite directions.)


Is Water non polar?

Water is polar molecule since oxygen has a higher electronegativity than hydrogen.


What are water molecules polar with?

The oxygen atom has a slight negative charge, and the hydrogen atoms have a slight positive charge, because oxygen pulls on electrons harder than hydrogen does. Because the water molecule is not completely symmetric, this translates as a permanent dipole.


Why is nonpolar oxygen soluble in polar water?

Because nonpolar oxygen is has a much greater electronegativity and oxygen and water go well.


What is polar substances?

water


Is tap water polar or non polar?

Water is polar molecule. Since oxygen has a higher electronegativity than hydrogen.


Why are electrons in a water molecule polar?

Electrons aren't polar, they're charged. Water molecules themselves are polar, because the electrons tend to hang around the oxygen more than they do around the hydrogens, rendering the oxygen end slightly negative in comparison.


Example for polar and non polar solvent?

Water, H2O, is a common example of a polar molecule. The electronegativity of the oxygen is much higher than the hydrogens, so it hogs the electrons, making the side with the O have a negative charge and the side with the H's positive. O2 and Cl2 are examples of non-polar molecules. There are also molecules such as CCl4 which contain polar bonds (because the electronegativity of Cl is higher than that of C) but are non-polar molecules because the molecule is symmetrical; the polarity of the bonds cancel each other out.


Water is considered a polar molecule?

Yes, Hydrogens on one side and the electronegative oxygen at the other.