Problem 1.4: What is the HydrogenBond Network Is it made of
From Chapter 1 Problem Set. Level 1: Conceptual Mastery.
Question
What is the Hydrogen-Bond Network? Is it made of true chemical bonds? Why does it matter that each water molecule can participate in up to four hydrogen bonds?
Answer
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The Hydrogen-Bond Network is the persistent web of intermolecular attractions between water molecules, formed by the partial positive charge on hydrogen attracting the partial negative charge on a neighboring oxygen. It is not a true chemical bond - it is roughly 1/10th the strength of a covalent bond. Because each molecule can form up to four hydrogen bonds, the network is continuous and interconnected, giving water its collective behavior.