Answer: B) chains
Explanation: Carbon has four valence electrons, therefore carbon needs four more electrons to attain a stable octet structure of noble gases. Because carbon is a non-metal, it shares unpaired electrons from other non-metals to attain a stable structure. Carbon forms many compounds because carbon atoms can attach themselves to one another to form chains of thousands of atoms and rings of all sizes. The ability of carbon atoms to form long chains is called catenation. Other atoms such hydrogen, oxygen, halogens, sulphur, phosphorus and nitrogen attach themselves to the carbon chains.