Very Short Question and Answers - Bonding in Carbon – The Covalent Bond

A covalent bond is a type of chemical bond where two atoms share pairs of electrons to achieve a stable electronic configuration.

Carbon has 4 electrons in its outermost shell.

Tetravalency of carbon means that carbon can form four covalent bonds with other atoms because it needs four more electrons to complete its octet.

Carbon attains a stable configuration by sharing its four valence electrons with other atoms through covalent bonds.

The electronic configuration of carbon is 2, 4.

In methane (CH₄), there are four covalent bonds, each between the carbon atom and a hydrogen atom.

The molecular formula of ethane is C₂H₆, and it has a single covalent bond between the two carbon atoms.

A single bond shares one electron pair (e.g., ethane, C₂H₆); a double bond shares two pairs (e.g., ethene, C₂H₄); a triple bond shares three pairs (e.g., ethyne, C₂H₂).

Urea (NH₂CONH₂) is an organic compound of carbon used as fertilizer.

Carbon forms covalent bonds because it requires a lot of energy to either lose or gain four electrons; sharing electrons is energetically favorable.

Ethene (C₂H₄), which contains a double bond, is used as a fruit ripening agent in agriculture.

Methane is used in biogas plants; it is a fuel generated from the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter in agriculture.

Carbon forms carbon dioxide (CO₂) by making two double covalent bonds with two oxygen atoms.

Carbon’s tetravalency and ability to form chains, rings, and multiple bonds with itself and other atoms allow it to form a vast number of compounds.

Carbon can form straight chains, branched chains, and ring structures.

Organic compounds serve as fertilizers, pesticides, biofuels, and are crucial components of soil organic matter, all vital for agriculture.

Urea is a widely used nitrogen-rich fertilizer that promotes plant growth.

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is mainly responsible for photosynthesis in plants.

Glucose (a carbohydrate) and proteins are two examples of essential nutrients derived from carbon.

Single covalent bonds exist between carbon and hydrogen in methane.