How many bonds does carbon atom form
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
A carbon atom can form four bonds.
This is because carbon has four valence electrons, located in its outermost shell (the second shell for carbon). To achieve a stable electron configuration, carbon tends to form covalent bonds by sharing electrons with other atoms, typically forming bonds with hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and other elements.
Carbon’s ability to form four bonds is a consequence of its position in Group 14 of the periodic table. The carbon atom has four electrons in its valence shell and needs four more to complete its octet (8 electrons in its outer shell). By sharing its four electrons with other atoms, carbon achieves a stable configuration. This is why carbon is a key element in organic chemistry, as it can form diverse compounds by creating various bond types, including single, double, and triple bonds.
In molecules like methane (CH₄), carbon shares one electron with each of four hydrogen atoms, forming four single bonds. Each bond involves two electrons being shared, satisfying carbon’s need for eight electrons in its outer shell.
Additionally, carbon can form multiple bonds with other carbon atoms. For example, in ethene (C₂H₄), two carbon atoms are connected by a double bond, where each carbon shares two electrons with the other, in addition to their single bonds with hydrogen atoms. Similarly, carbon in carbon dioxide (CO₂) forms two double bonds with two oxygen atoms.
Thus, carbon’s versatility in bonding gives it the ability to form a wide range of compounds, making it fundamental to life and organic chemistry. The fact that it can form four bonds is a key factor in its ability to create complex molecules.
