What Makes Water Molecule Polar?

The Nature of Water Molecule

In a water molecule, the oxygen atom is slightly different from the hydrogen atom. This difference arises due to the covalent bond between oxygen and hydrogen. The oxygen atom attracts electrons a bit more strongly than the hydrogen atoms. As a result, there is an unequal sharing of electrons in the water molecule.

Polarity of Water

Water is considered a polar molecule. The unequal sharing of electrons gives the water molecule a slight negative charge near its oxygen atom and a slight positive charge near its hydrogen atoms. This creates an asymmetrical distribution of charge within the molecule, making it polar.

Importance of Polarity

Polarity is a crucial characteristic of water that contributes to its unique properties, such as its ability to form hydrogen bonds, high surface tension, and excellent solvent properties. The polarity of water plays a vital role in various biological and chemical processes.