Question

Carbon is in Group 4 on the periodic table. Does carbon typically form covalent or ionic bonds, and why?(1 point)
Responses

It typically forms covalent bonds because it is a nonmetal, and nonmetals always form covalent bonds.
It typically forms covalent bonds because it is a nonmetal, and nonmetals always form covalent bonds.

It typically forms ionic bonds because it is a nonmetal and will bond with a metal.
It typically forms ionic bonds because it is a nonmetal and will bond with a metal.

It typically forms covalent bonds because it wants four more electrons to share in order to fill its outer shell.
It typically forms covalent bonds because it wants four more electrons to share in order to fill its outer shell.

It typically forms ionic bonds because it will give away four electrons in order to become stable.

Answer 1

The correct response is:

**It typically forms covalent bonds because it wants four more electrons to share in order to fill its outer shell.**

Carbon has four valence electrons and requires four additional electrons to achieve a full outer shell (octet). Rather than losing or gaining electrons (which would lead to ionic bonds), carbon tends to share electrons with other nonmetals to form covalent bonds.