Polarity

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Polarity is the unbalanced distribution of charge in a molecule. It results in the molecule having a negatively charged and positively charged end. For something to be polar it must contain a polar bond, a bonds polarity is determined by the electronegativity of the two atoms in the bond. Electrons are more attracted to the more electronegative atom. With respect to the Pauling scale a polar bond is when the difference in electronegativity is between 0.5 and 2.

Water

Water is a polar molecule, the electronegativity of oxygen is greater than the electronegativity of hydrogen therefore the two oxygen-hydrogen bonds are polar as the electrons in the bond are more attracted to the oxygen nuclei than the hydrogen nuclei.

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