Which statement best explains why a carbon atom can bond easily with other atoms?

• A. Carbon has four valence electrons, allowing it to form up to four covalent bonds with other atoms.
• B. Carbon has a full outer shell, making it highly reactive with other elements.
• C. Carbon only forms ionic bonds, which are generally easier to make than covalent bonds.
• D. Carbon atoms are larger than most other atoms, so they can easily attract electrons from other atoms.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of valence electrons: Valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell of an atom and are involved in forming chemical bonds.
2. Recall that carbon has an atomic number of 6, which means it has 6 electrons. The electron configuration of carbon is 1s² 2s² 2p², so it has 4 electrons in its outermost shell (2s and 2p orbitals).
3. Recognize that having four valence electrons allows carbon to form up to four covalent bonds by sharing electrons with other atoms to complete its octet (8 electrons in the outer shell).
4. Understand that a full outer shell means stability and less reactivity, so the statement about carbon having a full outer shell and being highly reactive is incorrect.
5. Note that carbon typically forms covalent bonds rather than ionic bonds, and its size does not primarily determine its bonding ability; rather, its valence electron configuration is key.