What is the maximum number of covalent bonds that an element with atomic number 8 (oxygen) can form with hydrogen atoms?

• A. 3
• B. 4
• C. 1
• D. 2

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the element with atomic number 8, which is oxygen. Recall that oxygen has 6 valence electrons because it is in group 16 of the periodic table.
2. Determine the number of electrons oxygen needs to complete its octet. Since a full octet is 8 electrons, oxygen needs 2 more electrons to reach a stable configuration.
3. Understand that covalent bonds are formed by sharing electrons. Each covalent bond corresponds to a pair of shared electrons between atoms.
4. Since oxygen needs 2 electrons to complete its octet, it can form 2 covalent bonds with hydrogen atoms, each hydrogen providing 1 electron.
5. Conclude that the maximum number of covalent bonds oxygen can form with hydrogen atoms is 2, consistent with the stable electronic configuration of oxygen.