Question

Silicon has 4 electrons in the outermost orbit. In forming the bonds
A) It gains electrons
B) It loses electrons
C) It shares electrons
D) None of these

Answer 1

Hint: The element which has an incomplete shell tries to get noble gas configuration. To get the noble gas configuration the element can lose, gain or share electrons.

Complete step by step solution: The general electronic configuration of the element silicon is \[1{{s}^{2}}2{{s}^{2}}2{{p}^{6}}3{{s}^{2}}3{{p}^{2}}\].Thus it contains two electrons in the 3s subshell and two electrons in the 3p subshell. Thus it needs electrons to complete its octet.
Due to high ionization energy silicon can not remove electrons easily. Again it can’t gain electrons due to strong force of attraction towards the electrons from the nucleus.
To form bonds with any other atom, silicon shares its electrons and makes strong covalent bonds. That’s why silicon shares its electrons to form covalent bonds.
Thus we can write Silicon has 4 electrons in the outermost orbit. In forming the bonds it shares electrons.

Additional information:
Silicon is a group sixteen element. It has the symbol of $Si$ . The atomic weight of silicon is $14$ and mass of silicon is $28$ .

Thus the correct option is C.

Note: Silicon is a metalloid. It has the properties between the metals and non metals. Silicon cannot exist as an ion. Its electrons are never free. It is highly conductive and malleable.