Question

Why does carbon form number of compounds?

Answer 1

Carbon has the ability to form long chains. This ability of carbon is termed as catenation. It is because of catenation that carbon forms a large number of compounds. Carbon has four electrons in its valence shell. These four electrons are available to the carbon atom to form bonds with other atoms; be it carbon or other elements. Carbon, using the four valence electrons, has the ability to form multiple bonds i.e double and triple. This is also the reason for the existence of a large number of carbon compounds.