In a molecule of water, there are two shared pairs of electrons between one oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms.
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A molecule of water (H₂O) has two shared pairs of electrons. The oxygen atom, with six valence electrons, forms two single covalent bonds with two hydrogen atoms, each contributing one electron. The sharing of electrons between oxygen and hydrogen atoms results in the formation of two sigma (σ) bonds. In water, one sigma bond is formed between oxygen and each hydrogen atom. The shared pairs of electrons help satisfy the octet rule for oxygen, giving it a stable electron configuration with eight electrons in its outer shell.