GEOLOGY

EARTH SCIENCE

GROUNDWATER

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
Water has an uneven distribution of charges across the molecule. Which property is being described?
A
density
B
polarity
C
capillary action
D
specific heat
Explanation: 

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: -As a result, the water molecule is “polar”, meaning the molecule has an unequal distribution of charge. The oxygen atom pulls the electrons away from the hydrogen atoms resulting in the oxygen atom having a partial negative charge (-) and each hydrogen atom has a partial positive charge (+).

Detailed explanation-3: -Because of their polarity, water molecules are strongly attracted to one another, which gives water a high surface tension. The molecules at the surface of the water “stick together” to form a type of ‘skin’ on the water, strong enough to support very light objects.

Detailed explanation-4: -Polarity results from the uneven partial charge distribution between various atoms in a compound. Atoms, such as nitrogen, oxygen, and halogens, that are more electronegative have a tendency to have partial negative charges.

Detailed explanation-5: -The polarity of a bond arises from the relative electronegativities of the elements. Electronegativity, it will be recalled, is the power of an atom of an element to attract electrons toward itself when it is part of a compound.

There is 1 question to complete.