Chapter 6.4, Problem 5MI

Summary Introduction

To model:

A carbon atom.

Introduction:

Carbon is a substance with the symbol C and atomic number 6. It is nonmetallic and tetravalent which makes four electrons accessible to form covalent bonds.

Explanation of Solution

The following picture shows arrangement of subatomic particles in a carbon atom.

  

In compounds, carbon atoms always share four pairs of electrons in four covalent bonds. This means that one carbon atom can form single bonds with up to four other atoms. This unique property of carbon is known as catenation.

Carbon atoms can also form multiple bonds with other atoms including other carbon atoms.