Hydrogen Bonding

Definition

Persistent, directional intermolecular attractions that form between water molecules due to their permanent charge distribution. They are the strongest of the common intermolecular attractions.

Water’s unique geometry creates a permanent charge distribution across its polar molecules, allowing the slightly positive hydrogen ends and slightly negative oxygen ends to attract neighbors. Individual hydrogen bonds are weak and fleeting, which keeps water low in viscosity, yet collectively they hold the bulk fluid together. They produce both adhesion and cohesion and give rise to the Hydrogen-Bond Network.

Related concepts

Polarity · Latent Heat of Vaporization · Specific heat of water

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Part of The Blueprint of Water · 🧪 chemistry