Chapter 29, Problem 6Q

To determine

The reason that carbon usually forms four bonds with hydrogen like atoms. 

Explanation of Solution

Carbon is a tetravalent element it has four electrons in the outermost shell as its very difficult for carbon atom to form electrovalent bond (because it requires large amount of energy)so it forms covalent bond to acquire stability. 

While making covalent bond it shares each four outermost electrons with four outermost electrons of another element. So, carbon forms four covalent bonds to complete its octet and acquire stability.