Question

What are the kinds of bonds that can be found in a sample of $H_{2}O\left(l\right)$?

• A. Hydrogen bonds only
• B. Nonpolar covalent bonds only
• C. Ionic and nonpolar hydrogen bonds
• D. Both polar covalent and hydrogen bonds
• E. Metallic and ionic bonds

Answer 1

The correct option is D Both polar covalent and hydrogen bonds

The electronegativity difference between $H$ and $O$ is $3.5-2.1=1.4$. Hence, the type of bond formed is Polar covalent. In $H_{2}O$ a hydrogen $\left(H\right)$ atom is bound to a highly electronegative atom oxygen $\left(O\right)$ Such $H$ atom experiences electrostatic force of attraction to some other nearby highly electronegative atom (such as $O$ atom of second water molecule) to form a bond called hydrogen bond. Thus, water molecule has both polar covalent and hydrogen bonds