Question

explain what makes a water molecule polar.

Explanation:

A water molecule (\(H_2O\)) has an oxygen atom bonded to two hydrogen atoms. Oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen. This causes oxygen to pull the shared electrons in the \(O - H\) bonds closer to itself. As a result, the oxygen side of the molecule has a partial negative charge (\(\delta-\)), and the hydrogen sides have partial positive charges (\(\delta+\)). The molecule's bent shape (due to the two lone pairs of electrons on oxygen) means these charge separations do not cancel out.

Answer:

A water molecule is polar because oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen. It pulls shared electrons closer, creating a partial negative charge on oxygen (\(\delta-\)) and partial positive charges on hydrogens (\(\delta+\)). The bent molecular shape (due to oxygen's lone pairs) prevents charge cancellation.