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Which description accurately represents a water molecule?

a) Two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom bonded by ionic bonds
b) Two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom bonded by covalent bonds
c) One hydrogen atom and two oxygen atoms bonded by hydrogen bonds
d) Three hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom bonded by metallic bonds

1 Answer

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Final answer:

A water molecule is accurately described as having two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom bonded together by covalent bonds, resulting in a polar molecule with a bent structure.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct description of a water molecule is: b) Two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom are bonded by covalent bonds.

In a water molecule, the oxygen atom shares one pair of valence electrons with each hydrogen atom, creating a covalent bond. Each hydrogen atom shares one electron with the oxygen atom to complete oxygen's outer shell, which makes the molecule more stable. Overall, two covalent bonds hold the water molecule together. Moreover, these covalent bonds are polar due to the higher electronegativity of oxygen compared to hydrogen, resulting in a bent molecular structure with a bond angle of about 104 to 105 degrees.

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