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Water molecules (H2O) contain a total of eight electrons, six contributed by the oxygen atom and one from each hydrogen atom. One electron pair links each hydrogen atom to the oxygen atom, so a total of two electron pairs are used for linking the three atoms. There are also two free electron pairs not associated with any other atoms. Each of these four electron pairs (two pairs linked, two pairs free) wants to stay as far away as possible from all the other electron pairs. To do this, each electron pair stays at an angle of about 109.5 degrees apart from each other electron pair, measuring the angle from one electron pair through the center of the oxygen atom and on to any of the other electron pairs. Keeping in mind that the shape of the molecule, although affected by all four electron pairs, only shows the links from the oxygen atom to the two hydrogen atoms. The tetrahedral shape forced on the molecule by the four electron pairs does not allow the hydrogen atoms to be 180 degrees apart from each other so the molecule is a "bent" molecule with the hydrogen atoms at a 109.5 degree angle from each other. With the liberal use of imagination, this looks like a boomerang.

The three strongest electronegative atoms are fluorine oxygen, and nitrogen, so they are the only atoms that can work with hydrogen to create a hydrogen bond. Electronegative atoms exert a stronger attractive force than other atoms toward electrons. This pulls the electrons closer to the oxygen atom than to the hydrogen atoms. With the electrons closer to the oxygen atom, the oxygen part of the molecule has a negative charge. With the electrons pulled further away from the hydrogen atoms, the hydrogen side of the molecule has a positive charge. Since opposites attract, the hydrogen side of the molecule is attracted to the oxygen side of other molecules, and of course the oxygen side is also attracted to the hydrogen side of other molecules. This is called a hydrogen bond, and only works with a combination of hydrogen and one of the above listed elements of fluorine, oxygen, and nitrogen.

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What are the bonds between atoms that make up water molecules?

The bonds between atoms in water molecules are covalent bonds. In a water molecule, each hydrogen atom forms a covalent bond with the oxygen atom by sharing electrons. This sharing of electrons creates a stable structure in the water molecule.


What are the bonds that hold hydrogen and oxygen called?

In water and many other compounds hydrogen and oxygen are held by covalent bonds.Between water molecules and between other polar molecules hydrogen of one molecule and oxygen of a different molecule are held by hydrogen bonds.


What are there bonds in a water molecule?

A water molecule has two types of bonds: covalent bonds between the oxygen atom and the hydrogen atoms within the molecule, and hydrogen bonds between water molecules. The covalent bonds hold the atoms within a water molecule together, while hydrogen bonds are formed between the positively charged hydrogen atoms of one water molecule and the negatively charged oxygen atom of another water molecule.


Is a water molecule an ionic bond or covalent bond?

Bonds in a molecule of water are covalent bonds because the hydrogen and oxygen molecules share electrons.


The bonds between hydrogen and oxygen in a water molecule are classified as?

The bonds between hydrogen and oxygen in a water molecule are classified as polar covalent bonds. In a polar covalent bond, electrons are shared between the atoms but are not shared equally, leading to a partial negative charge near the oxygen atom and a partial positive charge near the hydrogen atoms.

Related Questions

What type of bond is in a molecule of water?

Covalent bond between oxygen and hydrogen in water. Intermoleculat hydrogen bond between water molecules.


What are the bonds between atoms that make up water molecules?

The bonds between atoms in water molecules are covalent bonds. In a water molecule, each hydrogen atom forms a covalent bond with the oxygen atom by sharing electrons. This sharing of electrons creates a stable structure in the water molecule.


What are the bonds that hold hydrogen and oxygen called?

In water and many other compounds hydrogen and oxygen are held by covalent bonds.Between water molecules and between other polar molecules hydrogen of one molecule and oxygen of a different molecule are held by hydrogen bonds.


What type of bonds form within a water molecule?

Within a water molecule is covalent bonds. between water molecules are hydrogen bonds.


What are there bonds in a water molecule?

A water molecule has two types of bonds: covalent bonds between the oxygen atom and the hydrogen atoms within the molecule, and hydrogen bonds between water molecules. The covalent bonds hold the atoms within a water molecule together, while hydrogen bonds are formed between the positively charged hydrogen atoms of one water molecule and the negatively charged oxygen atom of another water molecule.


Is a water molecule an ionic bond or covalent bond?

Bonds in a molecule of water are covalent bonds because the hydrogen and oxygen molecules share electrons.


The bonds between hydrogen and oxygen in a water molecule are classified as?

The bonds between hydrogen and oxygen in a water molecule are classified as polar covalent bonds. In a polar covalent bond, electrons are shared between the atoms but are not shared equally, leading to a partial negative charge near the oxygen atom and a partial positive charge near the hydrogen atoms.


How many covalent bonds does water have?

Water molecules have two simple covalent bonds between one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms. Covalent bonds are also known as organic bonds.


What type of bond does H2O and NH3 have together?

H2O (water) has hydrogen bonds between its molecules. NH3 (ammonia) has hydrogen bonds between its molecules as well, in addition to covalent bonds within the molecule itself.


Is water a hydrogen bond or covalent bond?

Water is not any kind of bond. Water is a molecule with polar covalent bonds occurring between the oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms. Water molecules can form hydrogen bonds between them or with other substances.


Is a hydrogen bond the strongest that formed between molecules?

No, hydrogen bonds are weaker than covalent or ionic bonds. Hydrogen bonds are attraction between a hydrogen atom in a polar molecule and an electronegative atom (such as oxygen or nitrogen) in another molecule.


What is a bond between polar covalent molecules called?

A bond between polar covalent molecules is called a hydrogen bond. It is a weak type of bond that forms between a partially positive hydrogen atom and a partially negative atom (such as oxygen or nitrogen) in another molecule.