Question

Why is carbon is considered tetravalent?

Answer 1

Octet rule:

• According to the Octet Rule, every atom prefers to have a full outer shell of electrons, with eight electrons per shell.
• This is the most stable and low-energy state.
• Valance electrons are electrons in the outermost shell that contribute to bonding and forming molecules.

Carbon is tetravalent

• The outermost shell of a Carbon atom has four electrons.
• So, to attain a stable electronic configuration, carbon makes four covalent bonds with other atoms following the octet rule.
• Therefore, carbon is tetravalent.