Water molecule in 3D
H₂O · The familiar molecule with an angled shape. Water participates in living systems and transports dissolved substances. Explore the 3D model, inspect its parts and learn with guided explanations. Free on Atlas.
What you can learn
H₂O · The familiar molecule with an angled shape. Water participates in living systems and transports dissolved substances.
Count the 3 atoms. Match their element colours to the formula H₂O.
Select a bond and identify the two atoms it connects. Water has two O–H single covalent bonds. Each connects oxygen with one hydrogen.
Rotate the model to the side. The H–O–H arrangement is bent, with an angle close to 104.5°. Two lone pairs on oxygen influence this shape.
Explain the difference between the atoms present and the molecule they form. Water and hydrogen peroxide are different compounds: their formulas and connections differ.
Connect the model to daily life. Water participates in living systems and transports dissolved substances.
What is missing from a ball-and-stick picture? Consider electron density, movement and interactions with nearby molecules.
Try an investigation
Count the 3 atoms. Match their element colours to the formula H₂O.
Check your understanding
How many atoms are in one H₂O molecule?
3. Add the atom counts in H₂O: one molecule contains 3 atoms. Subscripts belong to the element or group immediately before them.
How many different elements make up H₂O?
2. Water contains oxygen and hydrogen. Count element types separately from the total atom count.
What is the arrangement of atoms in water?
Bent. The H–O–H arrangement is bent, with an angle close to 104.5°. Two lone pairs on oxygen influence this shape.
Which connections are present in one water molecule?
Two O–H single bonds. Water has two O–H single covalent bonds. Each connects oxygen with one hydrogen.
Which formula describes this molecule?
H₂O. Water and hydrogen peroxide are different compounds: their formulas and connections differ.
What do the sticks in this water model represent?
Chemical connections between atoms. Ball-and-stick models help compare connections and spatial arrangement. Real molecules have electron distributions and vibrating nuclei, not coloured balls joined by rods.
Sources and model scope
Atomic centres use a PubChem computed 3D conformer, scaled for display.