In what type of bond do an oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms share electrons?

The correct answer is a covalent bond, which occurs when two or more atoms share electrons to achieve a full outer shell and thereby attain a more stable configuration. In the case of water (H₂O), one oxygen atom covalently bonds with two hydrogen atoms. The oxygen atom has six electrons in its outer shell and needs two more to complete it, while each hydrogen atom has one electron and needs one more to fill its shell.

By sharing electrons, a covalent bond forms between the oxygen and each hydrogen atom, allowing all three atoms to reach a more stable electronic arrangement. This type of bonding is characterized by the overlapping of electron clouds, contributing to the unique properties of water, including its polar nature.

Other types of bonds, such as ionic, hydrogen, and metallic bonds, function differently: ionic bonds involve the transfer of electrons to form charged ions; hydrogen bonds are weak attractions between polar molecules that involve a hydrogen atom; and metallic bonds involve the pooling of electrons among a lattice of metal atoms. Thus, for the scenario presented, a covalent bond is the appropriate term to describe the relationship between the oxygen and hydrogen atoms in water.