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Biological Molecules

Question

Why are water molecules cohesive?

2 years ago

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Water is strongly cohesive because each molecule can make four hydrogen bonds to other water molecules in a tetrahedral configuration. The polarity of water molecules allows them to be attracted to each other and is due to the electronegativity of the atom of oxygen: oxygen is more electronegative than the atoms of hydrogen, so the electrons they share through the covalent bonds are more often closer to the oxygen atom rather than the hydrogen atoms. These are called polar covalent bonds which are covalent bonds between atoms that become oppositely charged. In water molecules, the hydrogen atoms carry positive charges while the oxygen atom has a negative charge. This charge polarization within the molecule allows it to align with adjacent molecules through strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding, producing the cohesive property.

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