Question

In Methane carbon atom forms _____________ covalent bonds with hydrogen atoms

Answer 1

Answer:

In methane, carbon atoms form 4 covalent bonds with hydrogen .

Answer 2

Answer: 4

Explanation:

Carbon has an atomic number of six (Electronic configuration: 2,4). Carbon must find four more electrons to fill its outer shell in order to achieve its nearest noble gas configuration.

Hydrogen, on the other hand, needs 1 more electron to achieve its nearest noble gas configuration too.

Hence, one carbon atoms shares its 4 electrons with 4 hydrogen atoms resulting in the formation of 4 covalent bonds.

Structure of Methane:

$\setlength{\unitlength}{20} \begin{picture}(6,6)\put(5,2){ \bf{ C } }\put(5.5,2.2){\line(1,0){1.25}}\put(5,2.2){\line( - 1,0){1}}\put(5.25,1.9){\line(0, - 1){1}}\put(5.25,2.5){\line(0,1){1}}\put(5,0.5){ \bf H }\put(5,3.7){ \bf H }\put(3.5,2){ \bf H }\put(6.8,2){ \bf H }\end{picture}$