Question

How many covalent bonds does carbon form if each of its unpaired electrons participate in one bond?

Answer 1

Four covalent bonds.

Further explanation

Covalent (or homopolar) bonds occur based on the use or sharing of electron pairs. Covalent bonds are formed between nonmetallic elements.

We have the electronic configuration of a carbon atom as follows:  

$\boxed{ \ _{6}C = 1s^2 \ 2s^2 \ 2p^2 \ or \ [He] \ 2s^2 \ 2p^2 \ }$

• The electronic configuration of carbon is $\boxed{ \ 2,4 \ }$
• The electrons are distributed in the 1st and 2nd orbit.  
• K shell (n = 1) = 2 electrons.
• L shell (n = 2) = 4 electrons.

From this, we can see that the carbon atom has four unpaired electrons which are in the outer shell, called the valence electron.  

Carbon atoms with four electrons in the outer shell need four more electrons to reach a stable electron configuration such as a noble gas. Therefore, carbon atoms can form four covalent bonds with other non-metal atoms such as hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, halogens, and even with carbon atoms themselves.

Recall that a carbon atom can form single, double, or triple bonds with other carbon atoms.

Learn more  

1. Flammability as one of the chemical properties brainly.com/question/1767022
2. About the single bonds in fatty acids brainly.com/question/1386856  
3. The chemical formula for nitrobenzene brainly.com/question/2861241

Keywords: how many, covalent bonds, carbon, each of its unpaired electrons, participate in one bond, valence, outer shell, orbit, stable, the electronic configuration, non-metal atoms