The maximum possible number of hydrogen bonds a water molecule can form is

Options

A. 2
B. 4
C. 5
D. 6

Answer

To determine the maximum possible number of hydrogen bonds a water molecule can form, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Structure of Water
A water molecule (H₂O) consists of one oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms. The oxygen atom is more electronegative than hydrogen, which allows it to form hydrogen bonds.

**Hint:** Recall the molecular structure of water and the electronegativity of oxygen compared to hydrogen.

### Step 2: Identify Bonding Pairs
In a water molecule, the oxygen atom has two lone pairs of electrons and forms two covalent bonds with the two hydrogen atoms. This means that the oxygen can participate in bonding through its lone pairs as well.

**Hint:** Consider how many bonds the oxygen atom can form based on its lone pairs and the hydrogen atoms it is bonded to.

### Step 3: Determine Hydrogen Bonding
Hydrogen bonds occur when the hydrogen atom of one water molecule is attracted to the lone pairs of another water molecule's oxygen atom. Each hydrogen atom can form a hydrogen bond with another electronegative atom, and the oxygen can accept hydrogen bonds from two hydrogen atoms of other water molecules.

**Hint:** Think about how many hydrogen bonds can be formed by the hydrogen atoms and the lone pairs on the oxygen atom.

### Step 4: Calculate Total Hydrogen Bonds
From the structure:
- Each of the two hydrogen atoms can form one hydrogen bond with the oxygen of another water molecule.
- The oxygen atom can also form two hydrogen bonds with the hydrogen atoms of two different water molecules.

Thus, a single water molecule can form a total of 4 hydrogen bonds:
- 2 from the hydrogen atoms (each forming a bond with another water molecule)
- 2 from the lone pairs on the oxygen atom (each accepting a bond from a hydrogen atom of another water molecule)

**Hint:** Visualize the arrangement of multiple water molecules to see how the hydrogen bonds connect.

### Conclusion
Therefore, the maximum possible number of hydrogen bonds that a water molecule can form is **4**.

**Final Answer:** 4

---