To which part of a water molecule would #Cl^-# be attracted?

1 Answer
SCooke
Jan 3, 2018

To the "positive" end of a water molecule - the hydrogen atoms.

Explanation:

Water has a unique slight "bend" in its bond angles, producing a dipole moment that creates a slightly polar (charged) effect that would not be observed in a linear molecule.

This bend of the hydrogen atoms on each side of the central oxygen atom creates a slight "negative" polarity on the oxygen atom and a slight "positive" one on the hydrogens. In solution, the #Cl^(-1)# ion would be attracted to the complementary charge - the positive hydrogen atoms.

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