Question

water is a polar molecule because
answer:
a water is a bent molecule and oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen.
b oxygen is a nonmetal and hydrogen is a metal.
c the hydrogen atoms only have one electron each while the oxygen atom has 8 electrons.
d water is an ionic compound.

Explanation:

• For option A: The bent shape of water (\(H_2O\)) and the higher electronegativity of oxygen (which pulls electron - density more towards itself) create a dipole moment, making water polar.
• For option B: Hydrogen is not a metal. It is a non - metal (in most of its common compounds like in water), so this option is incorrect.
• For option C: The number of electrons in atoms (1 for H and 8 for O in their valence shells in \(H_2O\)) does not directly explain the polarity of the water molecule. Polarity is due to charge separation caused by electronegativity differences and molecular geometry.
• For option D: Water is a covalent compound (formed by sharing of electrons between H and O), not an ionic compound.

Answer:

A. water is a bent molecule and oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen.