Question

Water on cooling to zero degrees becomes ice. The main reason for this conversion is the hydrogen bonding. Which one of the following statements is correct?

• A. In ice, the hydrogen bonded H atoms are at equal distance from the other two covalently bounded H atoms around each O atom due to resonance
• B. In ice, the hydrogen bonded H atoms are at longer distance as compared to the other two covalently bounded H atoms around each O atom
• C. In ice, the hydrogen bonded H atoms are at shorter distance as compared to the other two covalently bounded H atoms around each O atom
• D. None of these

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

The correct option is B In ice, the hydrogen bonded H atoms are at longer distance as compared to the other two covalently bounded H atoms around each O atom
Covalent bonds have higher bond energy (ie, they are strong) compared to Hydrogen bondings.

The higher the bond energy, the shorter is the bond length.

Since bond energy of hydrogen-bonded $H$ atom is lesser than covalently bonded $H$ atom, it is at a longer distance from $O$ atom.

Hence, the correct option is B.