AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -This imbalance of outer electrons means an oxygen atom has a slight negative charge (-2) because of the missing 2 electrons. Hydrogen, the smallest of atoms has 1 outer electron, making it have a slightly positive charge (+1).

Detailed explanation-2: -Water Is Polar 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.

Detailed explanation-3: -Water is a Polar Covalent Molecule The unequal sharing of electrons between the atoms and the unsymmetrical shape of the molecule means that a water molecule has two poles-a positive charge on the hydrogen pole (side) and a negative charge on the oxygen pole (side).

Detailed explanation-4: -Hence, oxygen is a negatively charged ion.

Detailed explanation-5: -One side of a water molecule is partially negative (oxygen side) while the other side is partially positive (hydrogens side) because the oxygen atom is more electronegative than the hydrogen atoms. Electronegativity describes an atom’s attraction for shared electrons in bonds.