Question

question 6/10
in a water molecule, why are the charges on the oxygen and hydrogen atoms called partial charges (δ - and δ+)?
a. because only the hydrogen atoms have a charge, while the oxygen atom is neutral.
b. because the charges are not strong enough to dissolve salts.
c. because the molecule is only charged for part of the time.
d. because the electrons are shared unequally, not completely transferred from one atom to another.

Explanation:

In a water molecule, oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen. This causes an unequal sharing of electrons in the covalent bonds between oxygen and hydrogen. As a result, the electrons spend more time near the oxygen atom, giving it a partial negative charge ($\delta -$) and the hydrogen atoms partial positive charges ($\delta +$). The charges are partial because electrons are shared, not completely transferred as in ionic bonds.

Answer:

D. Because the electrons are shared unequally, not completely transferred from one atom to another.