Question

carbon has 4 valence electrons. hydrogen has 1 valence electron. how many hydrogen atoms would form chemical bond(s) with one carbon atom? a 1 b 2 c 4 d 8

Explanation:

Step1: Recall valence - electron concept

Atoms form chemical bonds to achieve a stable electron - configuration. Carbon has 4 valence electrons and needs 4 more electrons to complete its outer - shell (octet rule for carbon). Hydrogen has 1 valence electron and needs 1 more electron to complete its outer - shell (duet rule for hydrogen).

Step2: Determine number of hydrogen atoms

Since each hydrogen atom can share 1 electron and carbon needs 4 electrons to complete its octet, the number of hydrogen atoms that can form bonds with one carbon atom is $\frac{4}{1}=4$.

Answer:

C. 4