The fact that oxygen is an atom that is strongly electronegative means that:

• A. oxygen has a strong tendency to attract electrons toward itself when forming chemical bonds
• B. oxygen easily loses electrons to form positive ions
• C. oxygen cannot form covalent bonds with other elements
• D. oxygen has a low affinity for electrons in a chemical bond

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of electronegativity: Electronegativity is a measure of an atom's ability to attract and hold onto electrons when it forms chemical bonds.
2. Recognize that oxygen is a highly electronegative element, meaning it strongly attracts electrons toward itself in bonds.
3. Analyze the options given: Since oxygen is electronegative, it tends to attract electrons rather than lose them, so it does not easily form positive ions by losing electrons.
4. Consider the nature of covalent bonds: Oxygen can form covalent bonds by sharing electrons with other atoms, so the statement that it cannot form covalent bonds is incorrect.
5. Conclude that the correct interpretation of oxygen's strong electronegativity is that it has a strong tendency to attract electrons toward itself when forming chemical bonds.