Chapter 14, Problem 14B.2P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The energy required to break an $\text{O}\cdot \cdot \cdot \cdot \cdot \text{H}$ hydrogen bond in vacuum and in water has to be calculated.

Concept introduction:

Electronegativity is defined as the tendency of an atom to attract electrons towards it.  Polarized bonds are a result of the electronegativity difference between bonding atoms.  The more electronegative atom acquires a partial negative charge and the less electronegative atom acquires a partial positive charge.  This results in the formation of the dipole.  The energy of interactions is calculated by the formula shown below.

    $V=\frac{Q_{\text{H}}{Q}_{\text{O}}}{4\pi \epsilon r}$