Question

The oxygen atom in a water molecule A is electrically neutral. B carries a negative electrical charge. C carries a positive electrical charge. D carries an electrical charge that depends on what other atoms or molecules are nearby. E carries an electrical charge that oscillates rapidly between positive and negative.

Answer 1

Answer: The oxygen atom in a water molecule carries a negative electrical charge.

Explanation:

A polar covalent bond is defined as the bond which is formed when there is a difference of electronegativities between the atoms.

Hydrogen bonding (H-bonding) is an intermolecular force having partial ionic-covalent character. H-bonding takes place between a hydrogen atom (attached with an electronegative atom e.g. O, N and F) and an electronegative atom (O,N and F).

In , $H_2O$ , O is a highly electronegative atom attached to a H atom through a covalent bond. Therefore O atom gets partial negative charge and H atoms get partial positive charge.