127k views
0 votes
A carbon atom can bond with other atoms in a variety of ways. Which set of bonds would a typical carbon atom form in a compound?

three double bonds and a single bond
two double bonds and two single bonds
a triple bond and a single bond
a double bond and a triple bond

2 Answers

4 votes
Carbon only makes four bonds since that is all it needs to fill its valence shell creating an octet. It can't have more than an octet since it is in the second row which means it doesn't have d orbitals to dump extra electrons into..
The combinations that can happen are as fallows:
4 single bonds
2 single bonds and 1 double bond
2 double bonds
1 triple bond and 1 single bond

In the list of possible answers the only one that fits one of those four options is one triple bond and one single bond.

I hope this helps. Let me know if anything is unclear or if you want me to explain anything further.

User Handkock
by
8.3k points
3 votes
C) A triple bond and a single bond
User Stephen Harris
by
7.6k points