Question

Explain why carbon generally forms compounds by covalent bonds.​

Answer 1

ANSWER :

Carbon cannot lose four electrons easily because very high energy is required. It cannot gain four electrons easily because six protons cannot hold 10 electrons. It can easily share four electrons forming covalent bonds.

Answer 2

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A covalent bond is formed when an atom shares a pair of electron with another atom.

Reason: Carbon has 4 electrons in its outer shell and in order to complete its octate, it has to take 4 electrons or donate whereas it shares its 4 electrons with another atom with the same conditions and make 4 covalent bonds.

This property of carbon is the only reason behind its ability of formation of long chains. In fact a carbon atom can join with more than one carbon atom to form double, triple covalent bonds. Similarly, it can form bonds with other elements as well due to the presence of 4 free electrons in its outer shell.