Answer to Question #101935 in General Chemistry for jude

Question

6. Draw a labelled diagram to show how hydrogen bonds form between two water molecules. Explain two anomalous properties of water that are a direct result of hydrogen bonding.

Answer 1

In a water molecule, electronegative oxygen atom attracts hydrogen electrons resulting in the formation of a partial negative charge on oxygen atom and a partially positive charge on a hydrogen atom. As a result, a water molecule is a dipole. This feature leads to the formation of hydrogen bonds between partially charged water molecules.

Although a hydrogen bond is weak, multiple bonds provide significant interactions resulting in a high boiling point (100 °C). Next, a high level of energy is stored in multiple bondings. As a result, water has a high heat capacity. Therefore, high boiling temperature and high heat capacity are two features of water caused by hydrogen interactions.