The polarity of a water molecule is due to:
A) the greater number of hydrogen atoms relative to oxygen.
B) the uneven attraction of electrons to the oxygen atom.
C) the uneven attraction of electrons to the hydrogen atoms.
D) the uneven attraction of protons to the oxygen atom.
E) the number of neutrons in the nucleus.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The polarity of the water molecule is due to the oxygen atom's greater electronegativity compared to hydrogen atoms. It leads to an uneven distribution of electrons between oxygen and hydrogen, resulting in a partial negative charge on oxygen and a partial positive charge on hydrogen atoms, making it a polar molecule.

The Polarity of a Water Molecule Is Due To