Science

Hydrogen bonding.

Definition

A strong type of intermolecular force that occurs when hydrogen is bonded to a highly electronegative atom (F, O, or N) and is attracted to a lone pair on another F, O, or N atom. Hydrogen bonds are responsible for many of water's unique properties.

Examples

Real-world.

  • 1 Water molecules attracting each other, giving water a high boiling point
  • 2 DNA double helix held together by hydrogen bonds between base pairs
  • 3 Proteins maintaining their 3D shape partly through hydrogen bonds
Key Fact

Hydrogen bonds form between H bonded to F, O, or N and a lone pair on another F, O, or N

Studied in

1 unit use this concept.