Praxis II: Biology Content Knowledge Exam Prep

Answer: B, The type of bonding responsible for the formation of a water dimer is hydrogen bonding. A water dimer is formed as the result of a hydrogen bond between a hydrogen atom on one water molecule and an oxygen atom on a second water molecule.

Key Takeaway: Hydrogen bonding is a unique form of dipole-dipole interaction in that it only occurs between hydrogen and oxygen, nitrogen, or fluorine. Hydrogen bonding is very common throughout nature and is thus extremely vital to life in plants and animals. The high boiling point of water is a result of extensive hydrogen bonding. In addition to water dimers, hydrogen bonding also increases the stability of the double helix structure of DNA.