Скачать или смотреть How many hydrogen bonds can a water molecule form?

A single water molecule (H₂O) can form up to four hydrogen bonds. The oxygen atom in water has two lone pairs of electrons, each capable of accepting a hydrogen bond from the hydrogen atom of a neighboring water molecule. Additionally, the two hydrogen atoms in H₂O can each donate a hydrogen bond to the lone pairs of oxygen atoms in adjacent water molecules.

This ability to both donate and accept hydrogen bonds creates an extensive network of intermolecular forces. These forces are responsible for water’s high boiling point, strong surface tension, and cohesive properties. The hydrogen bonding process occurs due to the polarity of the water molecule, where the oxygen atom carries a slight negative charge, and the hydrogen atoms carry slight positive charges. This polarity enables the electrostatic attractions necessary for hydrogen bonding.

Understanding the hydrogen-bonding capability of water helps explain its role as an excellent solvent and its ability to support life. The unique structure and bonding behavior of water molecules make them essential to many biological and chemical processes, from dissolving solutes to stabilizing proteins and DNA.