Water is a combination of:

General Knowledge & Current Affairs ·Previously asked in JKSSB Constable (Executive / Armed / IRP / SDRF) 2017

View the full solved paper: J&K Police Constable 2017

Question

Water is a combination of:

  1. A. Oxygen & Hydrogen (Correct answer)
  2. B. Oxygen & Nitrogen
  3. C. Chlorine & Hydrogen
  4. D. Nitrogen & Oxygen

Correct Answer

Option A — Oxygen & Hydrogen

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Oxygen & Hydrogen.

Key Points

  • Water is H₂O — a compound of hydrogen and oxygen, in the ratio of two hydrogen atoms to one of oxygen.
  • By mass the ratio is 1 : 8, hydrogen to oxygen.

Additional Information

  • The molecule is bent, with a bond angle of about 104.5°, making it polar — the reason water dissolves so many substances and is called the universal solvent.
  • Hydrogen bonding between molecules explains water's high boiling point, high surface tension and the fact that ice floats, being less dense than liquid water.
  • Water is densest at 4°C, which is why lakes freeze from the top down and aquatic life survives beneath.

Topics covered: Chemistry General Science