Question

Describe the molecular structure of water and explain why the water molecule is polar

Answer 1

Explanation:

Hybridization of O in $H_2O = sp^3$

So, water molecule has four hybrid orbitals.

Two hybrid orbitals form 2 sigma bond with two H atoms.

Remaining two hybrid orbitals are occupied by two lone pairs.

Because of lone pair-lone pair repulsion, shape of $H_2O$ becomes bent.

Water molecule is polar because of difference in eletronegativities of O and H.

O is more electronegative as comapared to hydrogen. So bonding electrons get attracted towards O atom which results in the development of partial negative charge on O atom and partial positive charge on H atoms.

Because of development of partial negative and partial positive charge, water molecule becomes polar.