Question

Methane (CH
4) Is a gas that is found in small quantities in Earth’s atmosphere. Are the bonds methane ionic or covalent according to their electronegativities, and how can one carbon atom bond with four hydrogen atoms based on their valence electrons? In three sentences, explain your answer.

Answer 1

The bonds in methane (CH₄) are covalent, as the difference in electronegativity between carbon (2.5) and hydrogen (2.1) is relatively small, indicating that they share electrons rather than transferring them. Carbon has four valence electrons and can form four covalent bonds by sharing one of its electrons with each of the four hydrogen atoms, each of which has one valence electron. This arrangement allows carbon to achieve a stable octet configuration through bonding, while each hydrogen atom achieves a full shell with two electrons.