AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Answer. The strength by which an atom attracts the pair of electrons used to form a chemical bond is measured by electronegativity. Since oxygen has a higher electronegativity value than hydrogen, the electrons that form covalent bonds are drawn closer to the oxygen atom and away from the two hydrogen atoms.

Detailed explanation-2: -Oxygen has a high electronegativity, which means that oxygen atoms pull electrons strongly toward themselves. This causes them to react and bond (share electrons) with other atoms in order to gain some of their electron density.

Detailed explanation-3: -The positively charged protons in the nucleus attract the negatively charged electrons. As the number of protons in the nucleus increases, the electronegativity or attraction will increase.

Detailed explanation-4: -Some atoms attract electrons more than others. Oxygen is one atom with high electronegativity, so it tends to draw in electrons towards itself when it bonds with other atoms.

Detailed explanation-5: -Polarity of water molecules But because the oxygen atom is larger than the hydrogen atom, its attraction for the hydrogen’s electrons is correspondingly greater so the electrons are drawn closer in to the orbit of the larger oxygen atom and away from the hydrogen orbits.