Question

Why dos carbon not lose or gain electrons but only forms covalent compounds?

Answer 1

$\Large{\underline{\underline{\red{\tt{\purple{\leadsto } AnsweR:-}}}}}$

Carbon does not loses or gains electrons and it forms covalent compound because , carbon is very small in size . Its outermost electrons are held strongly by nuclear forces of attraction. So , it becomes difficult for Carbon to lose or gain electrons . And hence it forms covalent compounds by sharing electrons.

Moreover , atoms which have 5 , 6 , 7 electrons in their outermost orbit forms covalent compounds and are non metals. Whereas atoms with 4 electrons in their valence shell , are generally metaloids , but Carbon is an exception to this and is a non - metal .

$\Large{\underline{\underline{\red{\tt{\purple{\leadsto } Extra\: Information:-}}}}}$

➥ Carbon makes up 0.032 percent of the Earth's lithosphere .

➥ Life on Earth is based on Carbon and carbon based molecules.

➥ The name carbon is derived from latin word cardboard which means coal.

➥ The atomic mass of carbon is 12 and atomic number of carbon is 6.

➥ The electronic configuration of carbon is 2 , 4 or 1s² 2s² 2p².

➥ The electronegativity of carbon is 2.55. ( Pauling Scale ) .

➥ The triple point of carbon is 4600 K .