Hydrogen Bonds

Hydrogen bonds are a type of attraction that occurs when a hydrogen atom, already attached to a highly electronegative atom like oxygen or nitrogen in one molecule, is attracted to another electronegative atom nearby. This creates a weak but important connection between molecules or parts of the same molecule. Hydrogen bonds play a vital role in giving water its unique properties, stabilizing the structures of proteins and DNA, and influencing many biological and chemical processes. Despite being weaker than covalent bonds, their collective strength significantly impacts the behavior and stability of molecules.