Question

Carbon is in Group 14 (IVA) and has _____ valence electrons. In order to attain a full octet in its outer shell, it will therefore form _____ covalent bonds.

A)2, 2
B)4, 4
C)6, 6
D)8, 8

Answer 1

Carbon is in Group 14 and has four valence electrons. It needs four more electrons to complete its octet, which it can achieve by forming four covalent bonds.

Step-by-step explanation:

Carbon, which is in Group 14 of the periodic table, has four valence electrons. To achieve a full octet in its outer shell and follow the octet rule, carbon needs to gain four more electrons. This is achieved by forming four covalent bonds, as each covalent bond shares two electrons – one from carbon and one from the bonding atom. For instance, in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), the carbon atom forms four bonds with four chlorine atoms, likewise, silicon in silane (SiH4) forms four bonds with hydrogen.