A hydrogen bond is a unique type of dipole-dipole bond that can occur between two
molecules or within a single molecule. Water molecules are polar, resulting in a
partial negative charge near the oxygen atom and partial positive charges near the
hydrogen atoms. This uneven distribution of charge causes water molecules to attract
one another –“ forming the 'hydogen bond' shown above. Hydrogen bonds are what give
water unique properties that are ultimately essential for water's role in making
life on Earth possible.
Credit: University of Arizona
|
