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Chemistry Forums for Students => High School Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: guayguay on October 13, 2013, 10:14:10 PM

Title: Water bends when charged object is near
Post by: guayguay on October 13, 2013, 10:14:10 PM

Why is it that when a charged object is near a stream of water (polar), it causes the stream to bend towards the object (attraction) instead of bend away (repulsion)? I know why the water bends, but why does it not REPEL instead?

I did some research and it has something to do with electrostatic force which I don't understand. Thanks!

Title: Re: Water bends when charged object is near
Post by: Borek on October 14, 2013, 03:13:53 AM

Think how charges get relocated in the water stream (draw it).

Title: Re: Water bends when charged object is near
Post by: Kate on October 15, 2013, 01:03:05 PM

The water molecule is a dipole, due to differences in electronegativity between oxygen and hydrogen and because it has an angular geometry.

I don't know why it attracts instead of repelling, although I'd guess it has something to do with being more energetically favorable. Since water is a liquid, the energy of breaking hydrogen bonds between the molecules and rotating might be less than the energy released when opposite charges come together.

Just an idea.

Title: Re: Water bends when charged object is near
Post by: magician4 on October 15, 2013, 01:35:02 PM

one of the poles of a magnet always is attractive to a different "monopole"

if you allow the magnet to rotate freely (which water is allowed to do), sooner or later you'll find that it will arrange in an attractive geometry with respect to the monopole, and get closer (if it can)


that's what it's all about


regards

Ingo