Question

In a water molecule, the Oxygen has a ____________ charge and the hydrogens have a ____________ charge.

a. Negative, positive
b. Positive, negative
c. Negative, negative
d. Positive, positive
e. None of the above

Answer 1

Answer: A. Negative, positive

Explanation: The water formula is known as H₂O, where according to the formula, two hydrogen atoms are bonded to one oxygen atom. The oxygen charge is -2, because it belongs to the group of atoms with valence number six. This means that oxygen has six valence electrons and it needs two more electrons to have eight and become neutral. Therefore, it has a negative charge of -2, and in the water molecule binds two hydrogen atoms, each with a charge of +1. Thus, by binding two positive hydrogen atoms, the total water molecule is stable.