How are water molecules bond together?
Hydrogen atoms are attracted to other atoms such as oxygen atoms, because the electrons are pulled closer to the oxygen atom, due to its greater attraction for electrons. As a result the oxygen atom has a slightly negative partial charge and the hydrogen atoms have a slightly positive partial charge. The slightly positively charged hydrogen atoms are then attracted to the slightly negatively charged oxygen atoms of other water molecules. These forces of attraction are called hydrogen bonds. The forces holding two molecules together in a hydrogen bond are much stronger than those between molecules and hydrocarbons. The attraction between hydrogen and oxygen atoms results in a much higher boiling point of water than anticipated for a different molecule with the same mass. Hydrogen bonds can also be formed between atoms of hydrogen and sulphur or nitrogen, typically SH- and NH2- groups.
