What is the primary intermolecular force present in liquid water?
Practice Questions
Q1
What is the primary intermolecular force present in liquid water?
Ionic bonds
Covalent bonds
Hydrogen bonds
Van der Waals forces
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
What is the primary intermolecular force present in liquid water?
Correct Answer: Hydrogen bonds
Step 1: Understand that water is made up of molecules, specifically H2O, which means each water molecule has two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
Step 2: Recognize that molecules can attract each other through different types of forces called intermolecular forces.
Step 3: Identify that one important type of intermolecular force is called a hydrogen bond, which occurs when a hydrogen atom is attracted to a highly electronegative atom like oxygen.
Step 4: Realize that in liquid water, each water molecule can form hydrogen bonds with neighboring water molecules.
Step 5: Conclude that the primary intermolecular force holding water molecules together in liquid form is hydrogen bonds.
