Question

Select the correct answer.

Why is carbon considered tetravalent?

A. Since it has four electrons in its outermost orbital, it needs four more electrons to complete its octet.

B. Since it has two electrons in its outermost orbital, it needs four more electrons to complete its octet.

C. Since it has four electrons its outermost orbital, it can donate four electrons to complete its octet.

Answer 1

The word tetravalent means having a valence of four because of the prefix - tetra. Carbon is considered tetravalent because it has four electrons in its outermost orbital. In order to follow the octet rule, it has to share four other electrons with other atoms. Thus, the answer is the first choice.

Pretty sure this is right! Hope it helps