Which element can form four covalent bonds?

Which element can form four covalent bonds?

• A. Oxygen
• B. Hydrogen
• C. Sodium
• D. Carbon

Answer: (D)

Four covalent bonds come from having four valence electrons to share so each atom can reach a full outer shell. Carbon has four valence electrons and tends to share them with other atoms, aiming for eight in the outer shell. This lets carbon form up to four covalent bonds with various partners, which is why it is central to many organic structures. When all four bonds are single, carbon adopts a tetrahedral geometry due to sp3 hybridization, though it can also make double or triple bonds by sharing more electrons in some bonds. Oxygen has six valence electrons and typically forms two covalent bonds to satisfy its octet, often with lone pairs as well. Hydrogen needs only two electrons, so it forms a single covalent bond. Sodium usually loses its one valence electron, forming ionic bonds rather than covalent ones. So, carbon is the element that can form four covalent bonds.

Four covalent bonds come from having four valence electrons to share so each atom can reach a full outer shell. Carbon has four valence electrons and tends to share them with other atoms, aiming for eight in the outer shell. This lets carbon form up to four covalent bonds with various partners, which is why it is central to many organic structures. When all four bonds are single, carbon adopts a tetrahedral geometry due to sp3 hybridization, though it can also make double or triple bonds by sharing more electrons in some bonds. Oxygen has six valence electrons and typically forms two covalent bonds to satisfy its octet, often with lone pairs as well. Hydrogen needs only two electrons, so it forms a single covalent bond. Sodium usually loses its one valence electron, forming ionic bonds rather than covalent ones. So, carbon is the element that can form four covalent bonds.