Question

How do hydrogen and oxygen atoms form covalent bonds to create water? A: Oxygen gives its electrons to hydrogen. B: Hydrogen gives its electrons to oxygen. C: Oxygen and hydrogen share electrons with each other.

Answer 1

C) Oxygen and hydrogen share electrons with each other.

Answer 2

Answer: The correct answer is Option C.

Explanation:

Covalent bond is formed when there is sharing of electrons between the atoms that are forming a bond.

When hydrogen and oxygen form a covalent bond to form a compound named water, both the atoms share electrons with each other.

Electronic configuration of Hydrogen = $1s^1$

Electronic configuration of Oxygen = $1s^22s^22p^4$

As, 2 electrons are required for one oxygen atom to complete its octet and 1 electron is required by the hydrogen to have a stable configuration. Therefore, 2 atoms of hydrogen shares its electrons to 1 atom of oxygen to form water.

The chemical formula for water is $H_2O$.

Hence, the correct answer is option C.