How many covalent bonds does a carbon atom typically form if each of its unpaired electrons participates in one bond?

• A. 3
• B. 4
• C. 1
• D. 2

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall that a carbon atom has an atomic number of 6, which means it has 6 electrons in total.
2. Determine the electron configuration of carbon: 1s\^2 2s\^2 2p\^2. This shows that in the second shell, carbon has 2 electrons in the 2s orbital and 2 electrons in the 2p orbitals.
3. Understand that carbon undergoes hybridization to maximize bonding. In its common state, carbon promotes one electron from the 2s orbital to the empty 2p orbital, resulting in four unpaired electrons.
4. Each unpaired electron can form one covalent bond by sharing electrons with another atom.
5. Therefore, the number of covalent bonds carbon typically forms corresponds to the number of its unpaired electrons, which is four.