O.K., so we're designing a new home and I've been reading a lot; books, magazines and forums such as this hoping to find the answer to the question... what is the most cost effective system to build an energy efficient home. SIPs, double stud walls, 2x6 wall with rigid foam insulation on the exterior, spray foam, cellulose and so on. So many options, so little time.
Water interacts differently with charged and polar substances than with nonpolar substances because of the polarity of its own molecules. Water molecules are polar, with partial positive charges on the hydrogens, a partial negative charge on the oxygen, and a bent overall structure. The unequal charge distribution in a water molecule reflects the greater electronegativity, or electron-greediness, of oxygen relative to hydrogen: the shared electrons of the O-H bonds spend more time with the O atom than with the Hs.
Opposite charges attract one another. The slight positive charges on the hydrogen atoms in a water molecule attract the slight negative charges on the oxygen atoms of other water molecules. This tiny force of attraction is called a hydrogen bond. This bond is very weak. Hydrogen bonds are formed easily when two water molecules come close together, but are easily broken when the water molecules move apart again.