Multiple Choice
Which type of chemical bond involves the transfer of electrons between atoms?
11. Bonding & Molecular Structure
Chemical Bonds
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Why do hydrogen and oxygen form polar covalent bonds within water molecules?
A
Because both hydrogen and oxygen have full outer electron shells, leading to nonpolar covalent bonds.
B
Because hydrogen donates electrons to oxygen, forming an ionic bond.
C
Because oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen, creating a partial negative charge on oxygen.
D
Because hydrogen and oxygen have the same electronegativity, resulting in equal sharing of electrons.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the concept of electronegativity: Electronegativity is the ability of an atom to attract shared electrons in a chemical bond. In a polar covalent bond, the electrons are shared unequally between the atoms due to differences in electronegativity.
Identify the electronegativity values: Oxygen has a higher electronegativity compared to hydrogen. This means oxygen has a stronger tendency to attract electrons towards itself in a bond.
Analyze the bond formation: In a water molecule (H₂O), each hydrogen atom forms a covalent bond with the oxygen atom. Due to oxygen's higher electronegativity, the shared electrons are pulled closer to the oxygen atom.
Determine the charge distribution: The unequal sharing of electrons results in a partial negative charge (δ-) on the oxygen atom and a partial positive charge (δ+) on each hydrogen atom, creating a dipole moment.
Conclude the bond type: The difference in electronegativity between hydrogen and oxygen leads to the formation of polar covalent bonds within the water molecule, with oxygen being partially negative and hydrogen being partially positive.
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