How do water molecules act like "little magnets"?

1 Answer
Nov 3, 2016

Water molecules are polar in nature.

Explanation:

Water molecules are basically, #H_2O# molecules, which have bent shapes. Also, #O# atom is electronegative than #H# atom. So, the entire electron densities of the two hydrogen atoms get attracted towards the oxygen atom.
Thus a polarity develops in each #O-H# bonds, and thus, the water molecules are polar in nature and act like "little magnets".

Bent shape of water

Polar water molecule