Question

Methane’s chemical formula is CH4. Is there a bond between any of the hydrogen atoms? Why or why not?(1 point) Responses Yes, there is because they form a long chain in order to all have stable outer energy shells. Yes, there is because they form a long chain in order to all have stable outer energy shells. No, there is not because it would form H2 instead of methane if hydrogen bonded with itself. No, there is not because it would form H 2 instead of methane if hydrogen bonded with itself. Yes, there is because there are one too many hydrogen atoms for carbon to handle alone, so one hydrogen must bond with another. Yes, there is because there are one too many hydrogen atoms for carbon to handle alone, so one hydrogen must bond with another. No, there is not because carbon needs four bonds, so it bonds with each hydrogen atom; hydrogen only forms one bond.

Answer 1

The correct response is: No, there is not because carbon needs four bonds, so it bonds with each hydrogen atom; hydrogen only forms one bond.

In methane (CH₄), the carbon atom forms four single covalent bonds with four hydrogen atoms. Each hydrogen atom can form only one bond, and there is no requirement for hydrogen atoms to bond with each other when they are already bonded to carbon. Therefore, there is no bonding between the hydrogen atoms in methane.