What is the primary intermolecular force present in water?
Correct Answer: Hydrogen bonding
- Step 1: Understand that water is a molecule made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom (H2O).
- Step 2: Recognize that the oxygen atom is more electronegative than the hydrogen atoms, meaning it attracts electrons more strongly.
- Step 3: This difference in electronegativity creates a partial negative charge on the oxygen atom and a partial positive charge on the hydrogen atoms.
- Step 4: The partial positive charge of one water molecule's hydrogen can attract the partial negative charge of another water molecule's oxygen.
- Step 5: This attraction between the hydrogen of one water molecule and the oxygen of another is called hydrogen bonding.
- Step 6: Conclude that the primary intermolecular force present in water is hydrogen bonding.
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