Question

Methane (CH4) is a gas that is found in small quantities in Earth’s atmosphere. Are the bonds in 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 to five sentences, explain your answer. Please make your answer simple, coherent, and intended for 9th grade.

Answer 1

The C–H bonds in methane are covalent because carbon (EN ≈ 2.5) and hydrogen (EN ≈ 2.1) have only a small electronegativity difference, so they share electrons rather than transfer them. Carbon has four valence electrons and needs four more to complete its octet, while each hydrogen has one valence electron and needs one more to fill its duet. By sharing one electron with each hydrogen, carbon forms four single covalent bonds. This sharing gives carbon a full outer shell of eight electrons and each hydrogen a full shell of two, making CH4 stable.