Question

0,8 1,0 1,3 1,5

1,6 1,6 1,5 1,8 1,9 1,9 1,9 1,6 1,6 1,8 2,0 2,4 2,8
Rb Se
Y
21
TC
In
Sn
Sh
Te
I Xe
Nb Mo
0,8 1,0 1,2 1,4 1,6 1,8 1,9 2,2 2,2 2,2 1,9 1,7 1,7 1,8 1,9 2,1 2,5
Ru Rh Pd Ag Cd
Ba
W
0,7 0,9 1,0 1,3 1,5 1,7 1,9 2,2 2,2 2,2 2,4 1,9 1,8 1,9 1,9 2,0 2,1
Re Os Ir
Au Hg 11 Pb BI Po At Rn
Cs
La
Hf
Ta
Pt
low
medium
high
Methane (CH₂) is a gas that is found in small quantities in Earth's atmosphere. Which type of bonds does methane
have, and why does one carbon atom bond with four hydrogen atoms? In three to five sentences, explain your answer
in terms of valence electrons and electronegativity.
(4 points)

Answer 1

Methane (CH4) has covalent bonds. In this molecule, one carbon atom bonds with four hydrogen atoms due to its need to fill its valence shell. Carbon has four valence electrons, and it requires a total of eight electrons in its outer shell to achieve stability, following the octet rule. Hydrogen, with one valence electron, needs two electrons to fill its valence shell. Therefore, carbon forms covalent bonds with four hydrogen atoms to share electrons and complete its valence shell, while hydrogen forms covalent bonds to attain its own full valence shell. These covalent bonds are formed as a result of the difference in electronegativity between carbon and hydrogen, which is relatively small in this case, leading to a nonpolar covalent bond.