Why does carbon form compounds mainly by covalent bonding?

Last updated at April 16, 2024 by

Why does carbon form compounds mainly by covalent bonding?

 

Answer:

  • The carbon atom has a valency of 4 , which means that it has 4 electrons in the outermost shell. 
  • In order to attain noble gas configuration/stability, carbon will either lose or gain electrons.
  • The carbon atom is very small in size.
    So the distance between nucleus and valence electrons is very less .
  • Due to this, the nucleus exerts a lot of force on these electrons
  • Hence,it is not possible to remove 4 electrons from a carbon atom and form C 4+ because an extremely large amount of energy will be required for the same.

PROTONS EXERT A STRONG NUCLEAR FORCE ON OUTERMOST SHELL ELECTRONS - Teachoo.jpg

 

Go Ad-free
Maninder Singh's photo - Co-founder, Teachoo

Made by

Maninder Singh

CA Maninder Singh is a Chartered Accountant for the past 14 years and a teacher from the past 18 years. He teaches Science, Economics, Accounting and English at Teachoo