In water molecules, which side is slightly negative?

Review for the KAMSC Honors Biology Exam. Enhance your knowledge with multiple-choice questions, flashcards, and detailed explanations to master key concepts. Prepare confidently for your semester exam!

In a water molecule, the oxygen side is slightly negative due to the molecule's polar nature. Water (H2O) consists of one oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms. Oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen, meaning it has a stronger tendency to attract electrons. As a result, the shared electrons in the O-H bonds spend more time closer to the oxygen atom than to the hydrogen atoms. This unequal distribution of electron density creates a dipole moment, resulting in the oxygen atom carrying a partial negative charge, while the hydrogen atoms carry partial positive charges. This polarity of water contributes to many of its unique properties, such as its solvent capabilities and the formation of hydrogen bonds between water molecules.

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