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A nylon rod carries a positive charge. Which end of a water molecule is attracted to the rod?

Why are no water molecules repelled by the rod? A poly(ethene) rod may be given a negative charge when rubbed with a nylon cloth. Will the charge on the poly(ethene) rod attract or repel a thin stream of water?

Public Comments

1. The negative end. Water molecules are attracted to each other which is the basis for surface tension and that likely neutralizes polarity of the mass..
2. The water molecule has three parts. In pure water the two hydrogen tend to have a small positive charge. The central oxygen atom has a lone pair of electrons giving it a partial negative charge. This bends the water molecule in the middle. This middle part (being negative) is attracted to the positive rod. In impure water (like tap water) the water ionize to H+ (actually H3O+) and OH - again the negative part (the OH- in this case) will be attracted to the positive rod. Because the water (tap water) has both ions, even a polyethene rod will attract the water.