Question

Carbon forms four covalent bonds by sharing its four valence electrons with four univalent atoms, e.g. hydrogen. After the formation of four bonds, carbon attains the electronic configuration of -

• A. Helium
• B. Neon
• C. Argon
• D. Krypton

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Neon

The explanation for the correct option

(B) - Neon

• Atomic no. of carbon is 6 so its electronic configuration will be-
• Electronic configuration of carbon(C): 2, 4
• As we can observe there are only 4 electrons present in the valence shell of carbon which means carbon needs 4 more electrons to complete its octet.
• and if 4 more electrons will be added to carbon the total no of electrons will be 10 which means it will resemble neon(Ne).
• Electronic configuration of neon: 2, 8
• So, after getting 4 electrons carbon becomes Neon in electronic structure.

The explanation for incorrect options.

(A) - Helium

• Helium's atomic number is 2
• Electronic configuration = 2
• Electronic configuration of carbon(C): 2, 4
• Hence helium won't be the option for this.

(C) - Argon

• Atomic number = 18
• Electronic configuration = 2,8,7
• Electronic configuration of carbon(C): 2, 4
• After the formation of four bonds, carbon attains the electronic configuration of neon.

(D) - Krypton

• Atomic number = 36
• Electronic configuration of carbon(C): 2, 4
• After the formation of four bonds, carbon attains the electronic configuration of neon.
• Which means it won't be the option.
• Helium, Argon, and Krypton are also inert gases having 8 electrons in their outer shell.

Hence option (B) is the correct answer.