---
title: "Hydrogen Bonding — AP Chem Definition & Exam Guide"
description: "Hydrogen bonding is the strong IMF between H bonded to N, O, or F and a lone pair on another electronegative atom. Core to AP Chem Topic 3.1 boiling point FRQs."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-chem/key-terms/hydrogen-bonding"
type: "key-term"
subject: "AP Chemistry"
---

# Hydrogen Bonding — AP Chem Definition & Exam Guide

## Definition

Hydrogen bonding is a strong type of intermolecular force that occurs when a hydrogen atom, bonded to a highly electronegative atom such as oxygen, nitrogen, or fluorine, is attracted to another electronegative atom in a different molecule.

## Review

### Related Terms

- Intermolecular forces: These forces are attractions between molecules and include hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole interactions, and London dispersion forces.
- [Electronegativity](/ap-chem/key-terms/electronegativity): It refers to an atom's ability to attract electrons towards itself in a chemical bond.
- [Oxygen](/ap-chem/key-terms/oxygen): An element with high electronegativity commonly involved in hydrogen bonding.