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Structure of water
Water (H2O) consists of two hydrogen atoms
covalently bonded to one oxygen atom. ­ +
Each hydrogen shares a pair of
electrons with the oxygen. The oxygen
has a greater affinity for electrons than 104.5 °
the hydrogens, so it `pulls' the
electrons closer. +
This makes the oxygen slightly negative (indicated by ­)
and the hydrogens slightly positive (indicated by +).
This creates different charged regions, making water a polar
molecule. Because it has two charged regions it is dipolar.
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Hydrogen bonds
Many of the properties of water are due to its ability to form
hydrogen bonds.
The slight negative charge on the oxygen atom makes it
attract the slightly positive hydrogen atom of another water
molecule.
hydrogen
bond
The numerous hydrogen bonds in water make it a very
stable structure.
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Water as a solvent
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Properties and biological roles of water
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