Question

How many single covalent bonds can carbon form?

Answer 1

Hint: A single covalent bond is formed by the equal sharing of electrons between two atoms. During the covalent bond formation, the atomic orbital of an atom overlaps with each other and forms an orbital in which the electron density is very high.

Complete step by step answer:
In our nature, various elements are present, some are present in native form while some exist in a combined state. Each and every element try to stabilize themselves and try to attain a noble gas configuration.
Noble gases are considered as the most stable element because they do not combine with any element and do not make any molecule. Noble gas contains eight electrons in their valence shell due to which it becomes most stable. Every element does not have eight electrons in their valence shell due to which either they get combined with itself or with other elements to attain a noble gas configuration and stabilize themselves.
One of the methods through which an element can stabilize them is to make a covalent bond. In covalent bond formation, overlapping of atomic orbital takes place and due to which an atom forms a bond and attains their noble gas configuration.
Carbon is an element which is widely found in our nature in various forms. Carbon has many stable allotropes like graphite, diamond, coal, charcoal etc. The outermost shell carbon has four electrons and it requires four more electrons to attain noble gas configuration and stabilize itself.
Carbon is a unique element which shows tetravalency i.e., it can form four bonds with itself or with other elements. During this, it overlaps its four orbits with four orbits of other carbon and gets stabilized.
Final answer:
Carbon forms four single covalent bonds with itself or with other elements.

Note:
Carbon has a unique tendency of formation of multiple bonds also. It can form double or triple bonds with itself and with other atoms too. It has catenation properties too where it can form large chain compounds with carbon and hydrogen called hydrocarbons.