Ownmates Post
How do water molecules and all elements stick together?
1️⃣ What is an atom?
Everything around us is made of atoms (hydrogen, oxygen, iron, etc.).
An atom contains:
• Protons ( )
• Neutrons (0)
• Electrons (–)
👉 Electrons are the key to why atoms stick together.
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2️⃣ Why do atoms bond with each other?
Atoms bond because they want to become stable (their outer electron shell to be full).
To do this, atoms:
• Share electrons, or
• Transfer electrons
This creates a chemical bond.
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3️⃣ How is a water molecule (H₂O) formed?
Water = H₂O
• 2 Hydrogen atoms
• 1 Oxygen atom
Oxygen needs 2 electrons
Each hydrogen provides 1 electron
➡️ Oxygen and hydrogen share electrons
➡️ This is called a covalent bond
H — O — H
That is why a water molecule stays together.
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4️⃣ Types of chemical bonds
🔹 Covalent bond
Electrons are shared
Examples:
• Water (H₂O)
• Oxygen (O₂)
• Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
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🔹 Ionic bond
Electrons are transferred (give and take)
Examples:
• Salt (NaCl)
Positive and negative ions attract each other.
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🔹 Metallic bond
Found in metals
Examples:
• Iron, copper
This is why metals are strong and conductive.
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5️⃣ Why do water molecules stick to each other?
Between different water molecules there is a hydrogen bond:
• Weaker than covalent bonds
• Extremely important
Because of hydrogen bonding:
• Water is liquid at room temperature
• Ice floats on water
• Life on Earth is possible 🌍
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6️⃣ In simple words
• Atoms stick together because of electrons
• The sticking force is called a chemical bond
• Water has covalent bonds inside the molecule
• Water molecules attract each other by hydrogen bonds
Comments
Well said!
Really good post!
Awesome content!