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.(2 points)

Answer 1

In a molecule of formaldehyde (CH₂O), carbon shares its four valence electrons with two hydrogen atoms (each contributing one valence electron) and one oxygen atom (which shares two of its six valence electrons), resulting in a double bond between carbon and oxygen and single bonds between carbon and each hydrogen. This arrangement utilizes all the valence electrons, allowing each atom to achieve a stable electron configuration.