AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -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-2: -In the covalent bond between oxygen and hydrogen, the oxygen atom attracts electrons a bit more strongly than the hydrogen atoms. The unequal sharing of electrons gives the water molecule a slight negative charge near its oxygen atom and a slight positive charge near its hydrogen atoms.

Detailed explanation-3: -Water is known as the universal solvent because it can dissolve more compounds than any other liquid. Because of the polarity of each water molecule, water is a solvent. Each water (H2O) molecule has a little positive electric charge on the hydrogen side, whereas the oxygen side has a slight negative electric charge.

Detailed explanation-4: -While there is no net charge to a water molecule, the polarity of water creates a slightly positive charge on hydrogen and a slightly negative charge on oxygen, contributing to water’s properties of attraction. Water’s charges are generated because oxygen is more electronegative, or electron loving, than hydrogen.

Detailed explanation-5: -In a water molecule (H2O), the oxygen nucleus with +8 charges attracts electrons better than the hydrogen nucleus with its +1 charge. Hence, the oxygen atom is partially negatively charged and the hydrogen atom is partially positively charged.