Would It Be Easier or Harder for a Water Molecule

question 12

Multiple Choice

Would it be easier or harder for a water molecule to donate a hydrogen ion if its polar H-O bond were even more polar? Why?

• A)Easier. As polarity increases the bond classification tends towards ionic. An ionic bond would mean a greater separation of positive and negative charge making it easier for the water molecule to donate a hydrogen ion.
• B)Harder. Increasing the polarity makes the bond stronger. The stronger the bond the more difficult it would be for the water molecule to donate a hydrogen ion.
• C)Neither. Increasing the polarity of the O-H bond would not affect the hydrogen bonding between the water molecules and therefore have no effect on the water molecule's ability to donate a hydrogen ion.
• D)Both. The ability of the water molecule to donate a hydrogen ion is dependent upon the environment you place it in. If the surrounding molecules are more covalent, donating the electron would be harder. However, if water found itself in a highly polar environment, increasing the O-H polarity would make it easier.

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