Question

How many electron pairs are shared between carbon and hydrogen atoms in ${\text{CH}}_4$?

• A. six
• B. eight
• C. four
• D. two

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

four

Carbon has four electrons in its valence shell. It shares each of these electrons with a hydrogen atom. Thus, there are four electron pairs shared between the carbon and the hydrogen atoms in methane $\left({\text{CH}}_4\right)$ molecule as shown below.