Four hydrogen atoms will bond with a single carbon atom bond to form a stable molecule.
Carbon and hydrogen forms four covalent bonds when combined between one carbon atom and each of the four hydrogen atom involved to form a stable molecule.
Further Explanation;
Carbon and hydrogen are non-metals that may form a covalent bond when they combine. A Carbon atom has four outermost electrons while hydrogen has one, therefore carbon will bond with four hydrogen atoms so as to form a stable molecule where carbon attains stability and so does each hydrogen atom. The type of bond formed between hydrogen atoms and carbon atom is known as covalent bond.
Covalent bond This is a type of bond that is formed between non-metal atoms. It is formed as a result of sharing electrons between non-metal atoms involved.
When atoms involved contribute equal number of electrons to the bond formation, the type of bond is known as covalent bond. Like in this case, the atom with four outer most electrons may share its electrons with two oxygen atoms to form a compound with a double covalent bond.
However, when the shared electrons come from one atom then the bond is known as dative covalent bond.
For example, carbon combines with hydrogen forming four covalent bonds between the hydrogen atoms.
Other types of bond
Ionic bond
This is a type of bond that occurs between metal ions and non-metal ions. Ionic bond occurs as a result of transfer of electrons from one metal atom to another non-metal atom.
After the transfer of electrons, metal atom loses electron to form a cation while the non-metal atom gains electrons to form an anion.
Hydrogen bonds
Metallic bonds
Dipole-dipole interactions, etc.
Keywords: Chemical bond, covalent bond, atom
Learn more about:
Chemical bonds: Ionic bonds: Covalent bonds:
Level: High school
Subject: Chemistry
Topic: structure and bonding
Sub-topic: Covalent bond
