Chemistry: The Power of Hydrogen Bonds

What happens when water is removed from an acid to hold the acids together?

a. Ionic bonds form

b. Hydrogen bonds form

c. Covalent bonds form

Answer:

b. Hydrogen bonds form

In chemistry, when water is removed from an acid to hold the acids together, hydrogen bonds form. These bonds play a crucial role in various chemical reactions and interactions.

Hydrogen bonds are weak, partially covalent bonds that form between a hydrogen atom of one molecule and the electronegative atom of another molecule. In the case of acids, the hydrogen bond weakens the H-A covalent bond, causing it to stretch and then break. As a result, the hydrogen atom that was originally bonded to the water molecule becomes fully bonded to the oxygen, forming the species H30 (the hydronium ion).

This process illustrates the power of hydrogen bonds in holding molecules together and influencing the behavior of chemical compounds. Understanding the formation of hydrogen bonds is essential in comprehending various chemical processes and reactions.