Question

In an electric field, how would an H2O molecule orient?

A) The oxygen end would point toward the positive electrode.

B) The hydrogen end would point toward the positive electrode.

C) The molecule would rotate randomly in the field.

D) The molecule would not be affected by the electric field.

Answer 1

In an electric field, an H2O molecule would orient with the oxygen end pointing toward the positive electrode.

Step-by-step explanation:

Polar molecules orient themselves in the presence of an electric field with the positive ends of the molecule being attracted to the negative electrode, while the negative ends of the molecules are attracted to the positive electrode. In the case of an H2O molecule, the oxygen end would point towards the positive electrode, so the correct answer is A) The oxygen end would point toward the positive electrode.