Final answer:
Each carbon atom can bond with as many as four other atoms or molecules, as it has four valence electrons available for bonding to satisfy the octet rule, which is seen in molecules like methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (O=C=O).
Step-by-step explanation:
Each carbon atom can bond with as many as four other atoms or molecules. Looking at the atomic structure of carbon, we see it has an atomic number of 6, indicating it has six electrons. The first two electrons fill the inner shell, and the remaining four are in the second shell. This second shell can hold up to eight electrons to satisfy the octet rule, and carbon achieves this stable configuration by forming covalent bonds and sharing electrons with other atoms. For example, methane (CH4) has a carbon atom at the center with four hydrogen atoms, each forming a single covalent bond to complete carbon's outer shell. This concept also applies to more complex molecules like stearic acid, glycine, and glucose, which all have carbon atoms that form up to four covalent bonds.
Whether carbon forms single, double, or triple bonds, the total number of bonds will still equal four. For instance, in carbon dioxide (O=C=O), carbon forms two double covalent bonds with oxygen atoms, showing that despite the type of bonds, carbon's valency remains four.