Question

When one atom of carbon (C) combines with four atoms of hydrogen (H), four nonpolar covalent bonds form, resulting in a molecule of methane (CH4). Which of the following describes the arrangement of valence electrons in a bond between C and H?

The valence electrons spend more time around the atom of C.

The valence electrons spend more time around the atom of H.

The valence electrons are shared equally between C and H.

The valence electrons are given up by the H and gained by the C.

Answer 1

Carbon is slightly more electronegative than hydrogen: 2. 55 vs 2.20. This difference is so small that the valence electrons are generally considered to be shared almost equally between them.

Then, the answer is: the valence electrons are shared equally between C and H.

Answer 2

Answer: The correct answer is that the valence electrons are shared equally between C and H-atoms.

Step-by-step explanation: In
`CH_4` molecule, 1 Carbon atom combines with 4 Hydrogen atoms to form 4 covalent bonds.

The electronic configuration of C-atom =
`1s^22s^22p^2`

The electronic configuration of H-atom =
`1s^1`

From the electronic configuration, we see that, the C-atom is short of 4 electrons and when it combines with 4 H-atom having 1 electron in its valence shell, both the atoms shares electrons equally in order to attain stable electronic configurations.