Which statement about hydrogen bonding is true?

Which statement about hydrogen bonding is true?

• A. Hydrogen bonds form only between water molecules
• B. Hydrogen bonds are stronger than covalent bonds
• C. Hydrogen bonds form when a hydrogen covalently bonded to an electronegative atom is attracted to another electronegative atom
• D. Hydrogen bonds involve the transfer of electrons

Answer: (C)

Hydrogen bonding is an attractive interaction that happens when a hydrogen atom, covalently bonded to a highly electronegative atom such as oxygen, nitrogen, or fluorine, is drawn toward a second electronegative atom in a nearby molecule with lone pairs. The hydrogen carries a partial positive charge and the accepting atom has a partial negative character, creating a dipole-dipole attraction. This bond is stronger than typical van der Waals forces but weaker than a covalent bond, and it does not involve transferring electrons. It also isn’t limited to water; hydrogen bonds occur in many substances, like alcohols, ammonia, and DNA base pairs. So the statement that hydrogen bonds form when a hydrogen covalently bonded to an electronegative atom is attracted to another electronegative atom is the best description. The other options are incorrect because hydrogen bonds are not restricted to water, are not stronger than covalent bonds, and do not involve electron transfer.

Hydrogen bonding is an attractive interaction that happens when a hydrogen atom, covalently bonded to a highly electronegative atom such as oxygen, nitrogen, or fluorine, is drawn toward a second electronegative atom in a nearby molecule with lone pairs. The hydrogen carries a partial positive charge and the accepting atom has a partial negative character, creating a dipole-dipole attraction. This bond is stronger than typical van der Waals forces but weaker than a covalent bond, and it does not involve transferring electrons. It also isn’t limited to water; hydrogen bonds occur in many substances, like alcohols, ammonia, and DNA base pairs.

So the statement that hydrogen bonds form when a hydrogen covalently bonded to an electronegative atom is attracted to another electronegative atom is the best description. The other options are incorrect because hydrogen bonds are not restricted to water, are not stronger than covalent bonds, and do not involve electron transfer.