Catenation is self linking property of__________ .
Carbon
The explanation for the correct option:
(C) Carbon:
The explanation for the incorrect option:
(A) Oxygen: Oxygen has 6 electrons in its outer shell so it needs only 2 electrons and oxygen gains two electrons to complete its octet. The catenation tendency is less for oxygen because of the lone pair repulsion and smaller size.
(B) Helium: Helium is a noble gas which does not show catenation properties. Its duplet is complete and it doesn't require any other electron.
(C) Nitrogen: Nitrogen has 5 electrons in its outer shell so it requires only 3 electrons from the outer shell and it accepts these three electrons. The catenation tendency is less for nitrogen because of the small size and electron pair repulsion.
Therefore, option (C) is correct. i.e., catenation is the self-linking property of carbon.