Hydrogen bonds can occur when hydrogen is covalently bonded to atoms like nitrogen and oxygen.What property of nitrogen and oxygen is important for this?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The property that is important for hydrogen bonds to occur is electronegativity. Nitrogen and oxygen are highly electronegative, so they attract electrons strongly. This results in a partial negative charge around these atoms and a partial positive charge around the hydrogen atom. The attraction between the partial positive charge on the hydrogen atom and the partial negative charge on the nitrogen or oxygen atom creates a hydrogen bond.

Hydrogen Bonds Can Occur When Hydrogen Is Covalently Bonded to Atoms