how many hydrogen atoms could bond with oxygen in this illustration of an oxygen atom?\n0\n1\n2\n6

Brief Explanations:

The illustration shows an oxygen atom. According to the legend, the green dots represent electrons, and the white circles represent available spots for electrons in the outermost shell (valence shell). The oxygen atom has 6 electrons in its valence shell. To achieve a stable electron configuration (an octet), it needs 2 more electrons. A hydrogen atom has 1 valence electron and needs 1 more electron to achieve a stable configuration (a duet). It can share its electron with oxygen to form a covalent bond. Since oxygen needs 2 more electrons, and each hydrogen atom can share 1 electron, oxygen can bond with 2 hydrogen atoms to form a stable molecule (like H₂O). Each hydrogen atom will share one electron with oxygen, and oxygen will share one electron with each hydrogen atom, resulting in two covalent bonds.

Answer:

2