AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -There is no overall charge to a water molecule, but there is a slight positive charge on each hydrogen atom and a slight negative charge on the oxygen atom. Because of these charges, the slightly positive hydrogen atoms repel each other and form the unique shape.

Detailed explanation-2: -The water molecule looks a little like Mickey Mouse, because the angle between the two hydrogen atoms where they connect with the oxygen atom is about 104 degrees. This is called the “bond angle". Because of this bond angle, the hydrogen atoms are at one end of the molecule, and oxygen is at the other.

Detailed explanation-3: -Each water molecule attracts other water molecules because of the positive and negative charges in the different parts of the molecule. Water also attracts other polar molecules (such as sugars), forming hydrogen bonds.

Detailed explanation-4: -Oxygen atoms are bigger than hydrogen atoms. Very simply, think of oxygen as a “bully” who keeps hydrogen’s single electron. As a result, the water molecule is “polar”, meaning the molecule has an unequal distribution of charge.