Why are no lone pairs shown in the CH4 molecule?

Question

All 4 of its valence electrons are involved in a bond with hydrogen.

The option to show lone pairs was left unchecked.

Carbon has no valence electrons and cannot make a lone pair.

The lone pairs are absorbed into the bonds with hydrogen.

Answer 1

The correct reason for why no lone pairs are shown in the CH₄ (methane) molecule is:

All 4 of its valence electrons are involved in a bond with hydrogen.

In methane, carbon has four valence electrons, and it forms four covalent bonds with four hydrogen atoms. Since all of the valence electrons are used in bonding, there are no lone pairs of electrons on the carbon atom in the CH₄ molecule.