Question

A chemical reaction produces formaldehyde, CH2O. Carbon is in Group 14, oxygen is in Group 16, and hydrogen is in Group 1 on the periodic table. In one or two sentences, describe the bonds found in a molecule of formaldehyde in terms of valence electrons. Please make your answer simple, coherent, and intended for 9th grade.

Answer 1

In formaldehyde, atoms form covalent bonds by sharing valence electrons: carbon (4 valence electrons) shares one electron with each hydrogen to make two single C–H bonds. Carbon also shares two electrons with oxygen (which has 6 valence electrons) to make a C=O double bond, while oxygen keeps two lone pairs so its outer shell is full.