Other than carbon being relatively small, what is another reason that carbon can form so many compounds? the ability to form four covalent bonds the ability to change shape the ability to form a diatomic molecule the ability to split its electrons

Ability to form four covalent bonds.

Explanation:

Carbon is the first member of group 14. It is essentially a nonmetal. It is a small atom which regularly exhibits tetra valency. This means that carbon is able to form four covalent bonds to four chemical species which may be the same or different each time. This leaves room for many different possible combination patterns of carbon with other chemical species.

Hence carbon forms a very large number of compounds due to its small size and its ability for form four covalent bonds to other chemical species in any bonding situation.