Question

Are hydrogen bonds weak?

Answer 1

1. Chemical bonds are the forces of attraction between atoms or molecules that hold them together in the form of a chemical compound.
2. Different types of bonds can be formed between atoms on the basis of the strength of the forces between them. This strength in turn depends upon the distance between them. On the basis of types of interaction/attraction between atoms, bonds are classified as - Ionic bonds, Covalent bonds, Dative bonds, Dipole-dipole interactions and Ion-dipole interactions.
3. Hydrogen bond is a common type of dipole-dipole interaction. A hydrogen bond is formed between hydrogen (already chemically bonded with a polar atom) or hydrogen of a polar compound and an electronegative element ( generally O, N, F) when they are present in the vicinity. Due to this vicinity hydrogen becomes slightly bonded to the electronegative atom present.
4. Hydrogen bonds are strong dipole-dipole interactions but not as strong as ionic or covalent bonds as hydrogen is not directly bonded to the nearby electronegative atom by electron sharing or donation.
5. Hydrogen bonding is also present in water $\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\right)$. In water, hydrogen is directly bonded with oxygen through a covalent bond and it also interacts with the nearby oxygen atom of another water molecule.
6. So, hydrogen bonds are weak forces.