Explain why carbon forms compounds mainly by covalent bond. Explain in brief two main reasons for carbon forming a large number of compounds. Why does carbon form strong bonds with most other elements ?

Explain why carbon forms compounds mainly by covalent bond. Explain in

1.	Explain why carbon forms compounds mainly by covalent bond. Explain in brief two main reasons for carbon forming a large number of compounds. Why does carbon form strong bonds with most other elements ?
Answer» Solution :Carbon has no TENDENCY to lose electrons easily. Similarly it has no tendency to gain electrons. It completes its octet by sharing the electrons with other atoms. Therefore, carbon forms compounds mainly by covalent bond. Two main reasons for carbon forming a large NUMBER of compounds are given below : Catenation : It is the property of carbon to link with other carbon atoms to form straight chain, branched chain or cyclic compounds. Thus, carbon forms a large number of compounds containing 2, 3, 4, 5,....etc., carbon atoms. Tetravalency: Carbon has four electrons in the outermost SHELL. It shares these four electrons with four electrons from four other monovalent atoms. Carbon has the tendency to form bonds with hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and halogens. This increases the number of compounds of carbon. Carbon forms STRONG bonds with most other elements : This is because carbon has a small atomic size. It can hold strongly the four PAIRS of electrons that it shares with other atoms. Therefore, it forms strong bonds with other elements.