Explain how hydrogen bonds form in water. How do these bonds influence properties of water? How might the phase of water (liquid, solid, or gas) change the interaction of hydrogen bonds?

Answer 1

· Hydrogen bonds form in water when the hydrogen atom of one water molecule is attracted to the oxygen atom of another molecule. This is due to water being a polar molecule which creates partially positive and negative portions of each molecule.
· Hydrogen bonds allow water molecules to link together. This allows water molecules to stick to one another, a property called cohesion. Cohesion leads to high surface tension for water. Hydrogen bonds also influence waters adhesion to solids as well. Both cohesion and adhesion cause capillary actions to occur. These properties contribute to water remaining a liquid at normal temperatures and pressures.
· Hydrogen bonds also are responsible for the color of water. The vibrations of these bonds absorb red light energy while reflecting and scattering blue light.
· The phase of water has a large influence on the hydrogen bonds. When water is a solid, the hydrogen bonds become compressed and very rigid as the water molecules begin to stack. They eventually form in hexagonal patterns. The hydrogen bonds are unable to hold when water transitions from liquid to a gas.