This is a great question that touches on the concept of polarity in molecules. Here's the breakdown:

* Electronegativity: Oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen. This means oxygen has a stronger pull on shared electrons in a covalent bond.

* Polar Covalent Bond: In the water molecule (H₂O), the oxygen atom attracts the shared electrons from the hydrogen atoms more strongly. This creates a polar covalent bond, where the oxygen end of the bond becomes slightly negative (δ-) and the hydrogen ends become slightly positive (δ+).

Therefore, the hydrogen atoms are attached to the more electronegative oxygen atom, and this difference in electronegativity leads to the overall polarity of the water molecule.

This polarity is crucial for many of water's unique properties, such as its ability to dissolve many substances and its high boiling point.