Concept:The structure of a water molecule is dictated by Oxygen's valency. Oxygen is in Group VI and requires two electrons to complete its octet.
Formula:$$ \text{H}-\text{O}-\text{H} $$
Solution:- The central Oxygen atom shares one of its valence electrons with the electron of the first Hydrogen atom to form one single covalent bond.
- It shares another valence electron with the second Hydrogen atom to form a second single covalent bond.
- Therefore, there are exactly two (2) discrete single O-H covalent bonds in a single water molecule.
- (Oxygen also retains two non-bonding lone pairs).
Why other options are incorrect:- 1: Oxygen needs two bonds to fill its octet, not one.
- 3 & 4: Hydrogen can only form a single bond, and there are only two hydrogens available.
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