Water is composed of oxygen and which other element?

Water is a chemical compound that consists of two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom, represented by the molecular formula H2O. This composition is fundamental to understanding both basic chemistry and the properties of water.

Hydrogen, as part of the molecular structure of water, plays a crucial role in its unique characteristics such as its polarity, the ability to form hydrogen bonds, and its solvent properties. These attributes make water essential for life, influencing biological processes and the environment.

The other elements listed do not form part of the water molecule. Nitrogen is a separate element that composes many biological molecules but is not a component of water. Carbon is the basis of organic chemistry and forms compounds like carbohydrates and proteins, but it does not relate to the water molecule. Sulfur, while important in certain biological processes and compounds, is also not a constituent of water.

Therefore, the presence of hydrogen in the molecular structure of water is what makes it the correct choice in this context.