Q4.2P - Chemistry: Molecular Nature Of Matter And Change

Question

What two factors cause water to be polar?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The two factors that cause water to be polar are: the bent shape of a water molecule and its polar bonds.

Step 1: Determine the nature of bonds of the water molecule

 In water molecules, the atoms are dissimilar in size and due to the high electronegativity of the oxygen atom, it attracts the electrons towards itself due to which a partial charge is generated on oxygen and hydrogen atoms i.e., a positive charge on hydrogen and a negative charge on oxygen atom which makes a dipole in the water molecule and makes the water molecule polar in nature.

Step 2: Determine the shape of the water molecule

Due to the presence of two lone pairs on the oxygen atom, the steric hindrance is high between them so, to reduce the steric hindrance between L.P - L.P or L.P - B.P in the water molecule, it becomes bent in shape to form a stable structure.

Hence this makes the water molecule polar in nature.