Question

hydrogen and oxygen atoms are more stable when they form bonds in a molecule.

Explanation:

Hydrogen and oxygen atoms form a water ($H_2O$) molecule. In a water molecule, hydrogen and oxygen atoms achieve a more stable electron configuration through covalent bonding. Hydrogen has one valence electron and oxygen has six valence electrons. Each hydrogen atom shares one electron with the oxygen atom, and the oxygen atom shares two electrons (one with each hydrogen atom). This sharing of electrons allows both hydrogen (to have a full valence shell of 2 electrons like helium) and oxygen (to have a full valence shell of 8 electrons like neon) to be more stable.

Answer:

water ($H_2O$)