Question

explain why carbon forms covalent bond give two reasons for the carbon
forming a large number of compounds

Answer 1

It is tetravalent its valanci is 6 and electronic configuration is 2;4 therefore -4 and +4

Answer 2

Carbon is a non metal with atomic number 6 .

Electronic configuration of carbon ( ground state) C6 : 1s2 2s2 2p2 .

to get the octet in its outer shell it has to gain four more electrons to form c4-

The electron negativity of carbon  is only 2.5. and its nucleus has only six protons . therefore it would be difficult for a nucleus with six protons to hold ten electrons . Hence, carbon cannot form c4- ions so easily.

if carbon looses four electrons from the outer shell, it has to form c4+ ions . this requires huge amount of energy which is not available normally . therefore c4+ formation also is a remote possibility . carbon has to satisfy its tetravalency by sharing electron with other atoms . it has to  form four covalent bonds either with its own atoms or atoms of other elements.

b) carbon is so special because of its tetravalency and catenation property.