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Name:  Sean
Status: student
Grade: 9-12
Location:NC
Country: N/A
Date: 9/17/2005
Question:
Why is water extremely cohesive?

Replies:
Water is unique in its ability to form strong hydrogen bonds, next only to hydrogen fluoride. The attraction of the oxygen for the bonding electrons of hydrogen gives the bare hydrogen nucleus a substantial positive charge which is attracted by the two sets of lone pair electrons on oxygen. This sets up a quasi-lattice of structure of water molecules even in the liquid phase.

Vince Calder


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