The arrangement of the hydrogen and oxygen atoms in a water molecule causes the water molecule to
A) orient in only one direction.
B) have a lattice arrangement in the gaseous state.
C) be polar.
D) slide past other water molecules.
E) lose heat rapidly.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The arrangement of hydrogen and oxygen atoms in a water molecule results in an unequal distribution of electrons, with the oxygen atom having a slightly negative charge and the hydrogen atoms having a slightly positive charge. This makes the water molecule polar, meaning it has both a positively charged and negatively charged end. This polarity allows water molecules to interact with each other and with other polar molecules in a variety of ways, such as forming hydrogen bonds.

The Arrangement of the Hydrogen and Oxygen Atoms in a Water