How do water molecules and all elements stick together? 1️⃣
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!