Question

What is the most accurate chemical formula for water?

• A. $H_{2}O$
• B. $(H_{2}O{)}_n$
• C. $(H_2{)}_{n}O$
• D. $H_2(O{)}_n$

Answer 1

The correct option is B $(H_{2}O{)}_n$

When more than one molecules of water are present, as is the case with liquid water, more bonds are possible.

Because the oxygen of one water molecule has two lone pairs of electrons, each of them can form a hydrogen bond with the hydrogen-atom on another water molecule.

Therefore, the most accurate equation would be as follows :

$n{H}_{2}O\rightleftarrows {\left(H_{2}O\right)}_n$

And the accurate formula would be ${\left(H_{2}O\right)}_n$.

Hence, the correct option is B.