Question

14,741 Learners found this answer helpful

which is a characteristic of a typical carbon atom? carbon has a high melting point. carbon dissolves easily in water. carbon is one of the least common elements in the universe. carbon can form single, double, and triple bonds.

Explanation:

• Analyze each option:
• "Carbon has a high melting point" - Carbon (in forms like graphite, diamond) has high melting points, but this is a property of carbon allotropes, not a characteristic of a carbon atom itself.
• "Carbon dissolves easily in water" - Carbon (elemental) is insoluble in water, so this is incorrect.
• "Carbon is one of the least common elements in the universe" - Carbon is relatively common in the universe, especially in planetary systems and organic matter, so this is false.
• "Carbon can form single, double, and triple bonds" - A carbon atom has 4 valence electrons, allowing it to form single (sharing 1 pair), double (sharing 2 pairs), and triple (sharing 3 pairs) covalent bonds with other atoms (including other carbons), which is a key characteristic of carbon atoms enabling diverse organic compounds.

Answer:

Carbon can form single, double, and triple bonds.