Question

Why does a carbon atom form a maximum of only 3 bonds with another carbon atom?

Answer 1

Carbon has 4 valence electrons . When carbon makes a bond with another atom, it shares its electron with the other atom and the other atom shares its electron. This causes the carbon to basically gain another electron. So following the octet rule, the carbon atom can only make 4 bonds maximum because by then, it will have 8 valence electrons .