Question

Why carbon cannot share as well as gain electrons? Plz explain.

Answer 1

Elements with four outermost electrons such as carbon find it easier to share electrons than attempt to gain or lose four electrons. The bond formed by sharing of electrons between the two atoms is called covalent bond.

If carbon gains 4 electrons and form C4-, it would be difficult for the nucleus which has six protons to hold the ten electrons.

Large amount of energy would be required if it loses 4 electrons and forms C4+ leaving behind a cation with six protons in its nucleus and holding just two electrons.

So to avoid this carbon shares its valence electrons with other atoms of carbon or with atoms of other elements.

Answer 2

Carbon cannot gain or loss the four electrones which are present in its outermost shell because losing four outermost electrones will take so much energy and gaining four electrones will also take so much of energy and which is not afforded by carbon atom . Hence , carbon atom shares with another atom to attain noble gas configuration