Which type of intermolecular force is primarily responsible for the unique properties of water, such as its high boiling point and surface tension?

The main force is hydrogen bonding, a special kind of dipole‑dipole attraction that occurs when a hydrogen atom bonded to oxygen pulls on a lone pair of electrons on another oxygen. Because each water molecule can form up to four hydrogen bonds, the liquid feels a strong network of attractions that keeps it together, raising its boiling point and making it cling to surfaces. This network also pulls the surface molecules inward, creating high surface tension. For instance, a tiny drop of water stays round on a leaf because the hydrogen bonds keep the surface tightly bound.