Final answer:
Atoms in a water molecule are held together by covalent bonds, and water molecules are attracted to each other through hydrogen bonding, due to the polar nature of water.
Step-by-step explanation:
The atoms in a water molecule are held together by covalent bonds. In water, each hydrogen atom shares a pair of electrons with the oxygen atom, forming a polar covalent bond due to the difference in electronegativity between hydrogen and oxygen. This results in an uneven distribution of charge within the molecule, giving it a dipole moment with partial positive charges near the hydrogen atoms and a partial negative charge near the oxygen atom.
Water molecules are attracted to each other through a type of intermolecular force known as hydrogen bonding. This occurs between the partially positive hydrogen atom of one water molecule and the electronegative oxygen atom of a neighboring water molecule. Hydrogen bonds are responsible for many of the unique properties of water, such as its high boiling point and surface tension.