Final answer:
A water molecule features two covalent bonds with a total of four shared electrons, as each hydrogen atom shares a pair of electrons with the oxygen atom.
Step-by-step explanation:
A water molecule is held together by two covalent bonds, meaning there are a total of four shared electrons in the molecule. The oxygen atom shares one pair of valence electrons with each hydrogen atom to form the water molecule (H₂O). Each pair represents one covalent bond, so overall, two pairs of electrons are shared between the oxygen atom and the two hydrogen atoms, establishing two covalent bonds that make up the water molecule.The oxygen atom shares one pair of valence electrons with each hydrogen atom. Each pair of shared electrons represents one covalent bond, so two covalent bonds hold the water molecule together.