Structure & Properties of Water

Water (H₂O) is composed of an Oxygen atom and two Hydrogen atoms. These are linked covalently.

The Oxygen atom attracts electrons of  the Hydrogen atoms such that it has a slightly negative charge.

Consequently, the two Hydrogen atoms have a slightly positive charge.

Water is Polar due to the positive and negative poles of the molecule.

Water molecules are attracted to one another due to the bipolar nature of the molecule. The positive pole of one water molecule is attracted to the negative pole of another molecule.

This weak "electrostatic" attraction is called a "Hydrogen Bond".

These are much weaker than covalent bonds.

However, many H-bonds can be "strong". We have seen this with Cellulose and Cell Walls.

Hydrogen bonds form & reform temporarily between water molecules (liquid phase).

Thee produce a weak "quasi-crystalline" structure which is easily disrupted by thermal agitation and are  "random" at ambient temperature & pressure.

H-Bonds between water molecules in Ice are stable and produce crystals like snowflakes.