A1.1.2—Hydrogen bonds in water
Water molecules are polar, so partial charges attract between neighbouring molecules to form hydrogen bonds that explain water’s distinctive physical properties.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2025
- Objective
- A1.1.2
- Level
- SL
Exam analysis
Chance of appearing11%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceNovember 2025
Most common paper—
Typical marks1–2
Common command terms
- Identify
- Describe
- Explain
- Outline
- Draw
Scoring notes
- Common mistake
- Drawing a hydrogen bond between atoms within the same water molecule.
Recent exam appearances
November 2025Paper2 SL · TZ37(a)[ 4 ]A1.1.2—Hydrogen bonds in water
November 2025Paper2 SL · TZ13(e)[ 2 ]A1.1.2—Hydrogen bonds in water
May 2025Paper1A SL · TZ21[ 1 ]A1.1.2—Hydrogen bonds in water
May 2025Paper1A SL · TZ11[ 1 ]A1.1.2—Hydrogen bonds in water
November 2023Paper1 SL · TZ17[ 1 ]A1.1.2—Hydrogen bonds in water
Practice this objective
Coverage 2010–2025 · Updated 14 Jul 2026
Concept essentials
- Unequal electron sharing makes each O–H bond polar.
- Oxygen is partially negative and hydrogen is partially positive.
- Hydrogen bonds form between different water molecules.
- Disrupting hydrogen bonds requires energy.
- Hydrogen bonding explains important thermal properties of water.