What type of bonding occurs in water, resulting in a specific ratio of hydrogen to oxygen?

Water has a chemical formula of H2O, which indicates that there are two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom. This specific ratio of hydrogen to oxygen (2:1) is crucial in understanding the structure of water.

The bonding in water is covalent, which means that the hydrogen atoms share electrons with the oxygen atom. Each hydrogen atom shares one electron with the oxygen atom, allowing them to attain a more stable electron configuration. The covalent bonds formed in this process lead to the unique properties of water, such as its ability to dissolve many substances and its high specific heat, which are essential for various biological functions.

The combination of the 2 hydrogen atoms with 1 oxygen atom, mediated by covalent bonding, is what gives water its distinctive properties and the 2:1 ratio.