Here's why:

* Polar Covalent Bonds: The oxygen atom in a water molecule (H₂O) is more electronegative than the hydrogen atoms. This means the oxygen atom attracts the shared electrons in the covalent bonds more strongly, creating a partial negative charge (δ-) on the oxygen and partial positive charges (δ+) on the hydrogens.

* Hydrogen Bonding: The partially positive hydrogen atoms of one water molecule are attracted to the partially negative oxygen atom of another water molecule. This attraction is called a hydrogen bond.

Hydrogen bonds are weaker than covalent bonds but still significantly influence the properties of water, such as its:

* High boiling point: Hydrogen bonds require a lot of energy to break, leading to a higher boiling point than expected for a molecule of its size.

* High surface tension: Hydrogen bonds create a strong cohesive force between water molecules, resulting in a high surface tension.

* Ability to dissolve many substances: Hydrogen bonds can form with many other molecules, allowing water to dissolve a wide range of substances.

Let me know if you'd like more information about hydrogen bonding or any other aspect of water's properties!