Question

Why does carbon form compounds mainly by covalent bonding?
(a) There are four electrons in the outermost shell of carbon.
(b) It requires large amount of energy to form C4+ or C4sup>4-.
(c) It shares its valence electrons to complete its octet.
(d) All the above.

Answer 1

Answer: There are four electrons in the outermost shell of carbon.

Option a

Explanation:

To attain a noble gas configuration.

Answer 2

Carbon compounds form covalent bonds because (a) There are four electrons in the outermost shell of carbon.

Explanation:

Carbon compounds form covalent bonds because (a) There are four electrons in the outermost shell of carbon.

• Carbon is a non-metal placed in group 14 in the periodic table.
• They have 4 electrons in their outermost valency and need 4 more to achieve octet configuration, they readily  react with other elements.
• Covalent bonds are formed to share electrons, they achieve a state of stability between attractive and repulsive forces.
• Carbons are capable of forming very diverse compounds because of this reactivity, they bond with molecules as small as with a single atom and also with massive molecules with hundreds of atoms.
• Carbon has 4 valence electrons hence can form 4 covalent bonds thereby becoming stable.
• They can form single, double and triple covalent bonds either with atoms of carbon or with any other elements.