Question

How many single covalent bonds can oxygen form?

Answer 1

Hint: The reaction of zinc with copper (II) nitrate to form zinc nitrate and copper is an example of single displacement reaction where the one atom from the reactant displaces the other atom from the other reactant to form the product.

Complete step by step answer:
Covalent bonds are defined as the chemical bonds which are formed by the mutual sharing of electrons by the atoms.
The single covalent bonds are those which contain one sigma bond.
The double covalent bonds are those which contain one sigma bond and one pi bond.
The triple covalent bonds are those which contain one sigma bond and two pi bond.
The oxygen is the chemical element present in the periodic table in group 16 and period 2. The oxygen is a p-block element. The oxygen is denoted by the symbol O. The atomic number (Z) is 8, so the resulting electronic configuration of the chemical element oxygen is $[He]2s^{2}2p^4$. The valence electrons in oxygen is 6. It can either donate two electrons or gain two electrons to complete its octet rather than losing its six electrons. As for the formation of a single covalent bond, one electron is shared by each atom, thus oxygen can share its two electrons so it can form 2 single covalent bonds.
Therefore, oxygen can form 2 single covalent bonds.

Note:
 Don’t get confused as in this question single oxygen atom (O) is asked not for dioxygen $O_2$. In dioxygen two oxygen atoms are bonded with each other by a double bond where one sigma bond and one pi bond is present.