How does Hydrogen bonding arise in Water?

Hydrogen bonding occurs in water due to the large electronegativity difference between the hydrogen atoms and the oxygen atom.The oxygen attracts the shared pair of electrons towards itself leaving the hydrogen with a partially positive charge.This causes it to be attracted to lone pairs of oxygen on other water molecules forming a hydrogen bond.The formation of hydrogen bonds is what gives water its distinct properties.

Answered by Chemistry tutor

4841 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is the ideal gas equation?


Explain why first ionisation energy decreases down a group.


Explain why the structure of benzene cannot be acurately described using Kekule's structure (cyclohexa-1,3,5-triene).


explain what an enantiomer is


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning