Which type of chemical bond is primarily responsible for holding the atoms together within a molecule such as H2O?

• A. Metallic bond
• B. Hydrogen bond
• C. Ionic bond
• D. Covalent bond

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that a chemical bond is the force that holds atoms together within a molecule.
2. Review the types of chemical bonds: metallic bonds occur between metal atoms, ionic bonds form between metals and nonmetals through electron transfer, hydrogen bonds are weak attractions between molecules involving hydrogen, and covalent bonds involve sharing of electrons between nonmetal atoms.
3. Recognize that in a molecule like H2O, the atoms involved are nonmetals (hydrogen and oxygen), which typically form covalent bonds by sharing electrons.
4. Identify that the primary bond holding the hydrogen and oxygen atoms together within the H2O molecule is a covalent bond due to shared electron pairs.
5. Conclude that the correct type of bond responsible for holding atoms together within a molecule such as H2O is the covalent bond.