Campbell Biology (11th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-13409-341-0
ISBN 13: 978-0-13409-341-3

Chapter 3 - 3.1 - Concept Check - Page 45: 3

Answer

It is very unlikely for for two neighboring water molecules to be arranged like this because opposite charges are attractive. In this image the hydrogens of both water molecules are attracted to each other, however hydrogen in water has a partial positive charge, which means it should be attracted to a negatively charged oxygen and repelled by another positively charged hydrogen.

Work Step by Step

Two neighboring water molecules would be arranged with the hydrogen atoms, the positively charged end of the molecule, being attracted and hydrogen bonded to the negatively charged oxygen pole of the water molecule instead of the way shown in the image. This attraction gives water the property of cohesion.
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