Question

What is the maximum number of double bonds that a carbon atom can form?

Answer 1

The maximum number of double bonds that a carbon atom can form is two

Step-by-step explanation:

Carbon atoms combine covalently with hydrogen and other non metals, such as oxygen, nitrogen etc.

Atomic number of carbon is 6 and it forms electronic configuration of 2, 4 ( 1s², 2s² 2p²)

Carbon has 4 outer most (valence) electron which it shares with other atoms that it forms a compound with. Again double bond corresponds to a pair of electron, then the 4 valence electron can only form 2 double bonds.

`\left\begin{array}{ccc}&|&\\-&C&-\\&|&\end{array}\right ,`

Thus, the maximum number of double bonds that a carbon atom can form is two

Answer 2

2 double bonds

Step-by-step explanation:

The atomic number (Z) of carbon is 6, so its electronic configuration is:

1s²

2s² 2p²

We can see that the valence electrons is 4, hence, the carbon can share 4 electrons with other atoms, forming 4 single bonds, and 2 double bonds.

For example, in the methane we have that the carbon can form 4 single bonds with the hydrogen:

H

|

H - C - H = CH₄

|

H

In the case of CO₂, we have that the carbon form 2 double bonds with the oxygen:

O = C = O

Therefore, the answer is 2, carbon can form 2 double bonds.

I hope it helps you!