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◉ Science·2 min·Updated Mar 11, 2026

What is Hydrogen Bond?

Hydrogen Bond

Quick Answer

A hydrogen bond is a weak attraction between a hydrogen atom bonded to a highly electronegative atom and another electronegative atom. These bonds are crucial in many chemical and biological processes.

Overview

A hydrogen bond occurs when a hydrogen atom that is covalently bonded to an electronegative atom, like oxygen or nitrogen, is attracted to another electronegative atom. This type of bond is weaker than a covalent bond but stronger than most other types of intermolecular forces. Hydrogen bonds play a significant role in determining the properties of substances, such as water, which is essential for life. In water, the hydrogen atoms have a partial positive charge due to the electronegativity of the oxygen atom, which has a partial negative charge. This creates an attraction between water molecules, leading to hydrogen bonding. As a result, water has a high boiling point and surface tension, which are important for various biological processes like the transport of nutrients in plants and the regulation of temperature in living organisms. Hydrogen bonds are not only important in water but also in biological molecules like DNA and proteins. In DNA, hydrogen bonds between complementary bases hold the two strands of the double helix together, allowing for the stable storage of genetic information. In proteins, hydrogen bonds help maintain their structure, influencing how they function in the body.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hydrogen bonds are generally weaker than covalent bonds but stronger than van der Waals forces. Their strength typically ranges from 5 to 30 kilojoules per mole.
No, hydrogen bonds specifically form between hydrogen atoms and highly electronegative atoms like oxygen, nitrogen, or fluorine. This is due to the specific charge distribution that makes the hydrogen atom positively charged.
Hydrogen bonds are crucial for the structure and function of biological molecules such as proteins and nucleic acids. They help maintain the shape of proteins and stabilize the double helix structure of DNA, which is essential for replication and function.