To make the statement accurate regarding methane (CH₄), we can analyze and refine the details for clarity.
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Covalent Bonds: The statement mentions that "The bonds in methane are covalent because hydrogen and carbon have similar electronegativity." This is partly accurate, but it's better to note that carbon and hydrogen do indeed have similar electronegativities, leading to covalent bonding, but it's specifically due to the nature of their electron sharing.
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Valence Electrons: The part stating "hydrogen has one valence electron(s) and carbons has four valence electrons" is accurate. Hydrogen has one valence electron, while carbon has four.
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Sharing Electrons: The phrase "carbon shares one valence electron(s) with each of the four hydrogen atoms" is correct. Each hydrogen atom shares its one electron with carbon, allowing carbon to complete its octet (by sharing four electrons) while hydrogen achieves a stable configuration similar to helium (by sharing to complete its duet).
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Stability: The statement that this sharing satisfies "the necessary eight valence electrons for carbon and two for hydrogen to become stable" should clarify that carbon reaches an octet (eight valence electrons) through sharing, while each hydrogen reaches a stable duet (two valence electrons).
A more accurate statement would be:
"The bonds in methane are covalent because carbon and hydrogen have similar electronegativities. Carbon bonds with four hydrogen atoms because hydrogen has one valence electron and carbon has four valence electrons. By sharing one valence electron with each of the four hydrogen atoms, carbon achieves a complete octet of eight valence electrons, while each hydrogen achieves a stable duet of two valence electrons."
This revision maintains technical accuracy and clarity in explaining how methane forms.
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