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A water molecule has a single Oxygen atom bound to two Hydrogen atoms at approximately 120o. Think of Mickey Mouse's head - his face would be the Oxygen atom, and his ears would be the Hydrogen atoms.
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Describe the structure of the water molecule and indicate how this structure is responsible for many of the unique properties of this vital compound?
Water is a simple triatomic molecule. Each O-H covalent bond in the water molecule is polar. Because of its greater electronegativity, the oxygen atom attracts the electron pair of the covalent O-H bond and acquires a partial negative charge. The hydrogen atoms, being less electronegative than the oxygen, acquire a partial positive charge. The atoms of the water molecule are joined at a 105 angle. As a result, the partial charges on the individual atoms do not cancel one another and the molecule is polar. Because water molecules are polar, they attract one another. The hydrogen of one molecule is attracted to the oxygen of another molecule. This attraction is termed hydrogen bonding and it is stronger than other polar attractions.
What is the structure and geometry of a water molecule?
"Studied in isolation, the water molecule is deceptively simple. Its two hydrogen atoms are joined to the oxygen atom by single covalent bonds. The water molecule is shaped something like a wide V." - paraphrased from Campbell, Reece - AP Biology, 7th Edition. Pg 47
What is the difference between molecular geometry and molecular structure?
Molecular geometry is the distances and angles between the each of the different atoms in the molecule. It is essentially the shape of the molecule.Molecular structure includes the shape of the molecule, but also much more, such as its electronic structure. This includes the nature of the bonding in the molecule (such as where there are single, double or triple bonds), the polarity of the molecule (if the electrons are spread out evenly throughout the molecule or if they are concentrated in particular areas, and if so, what areas), etc.
What kind of geometry do water molecule go along with?
A water molecule is considered to be V(or bent) shape.
Why does a water molecule have a bent shape?
It's a polar molecule! -Jessica King
