Polar molecule — Science definition
A molecule with a slightly positive end and a slightly negative end because its atoms share electrons unequally.
Where it is taught
- Atoms, Bonds & Water — Investigating the Chemistry of Life, Life Science: Biology, Grade 10
In use
This lopsided sharing leaves the oxygen end slightly negative and the two hydrogen ends slightly positive, making water a polar molecule — a molecule with a tiny bit of charge separation, like a tug-of-war the oxygen keeps winning.
Atoms, Bonds & Water
Questions using polar molecule
Problem 1
Water is described as a 'polar molecule' because
- it is made of only one element
- it carries a full electrical charge overall
- it cannot dissolve any other substances
- it shares its electrons unequally, giving it a slightly positive end and a slightly negative end
Answer and explanation
it shares its electrons unequally, giving it a slightly positive end and a slightly negative end
Oxygen pulls the shared electrons closer, leaving the oxygen end slightly negative and the hydrogen ends slightly positive — that charge separation makes water polar.