Carbons outer shell holds 4 electrons. List 3 other elements it forms bonds with

1 answer

Carbon, which has four electrons in its outer shell, commonly forms covalent bonds with several other elements. Here are three elements that carbon frequently bonds with:

  1. Hydrogen (H) - Carbon can form four single bonds with hydrogen atoms, creating molecules like methane (CH4).

  2. Oxygen (O) - Carbon can form double bonds with oxygen, as seen in carbon dioxide (CO2) or single bonds in alcohols and organic acids.

  3. Nitrogen (N) - Carbon can form triple bonds with nitrogen, as in cyanide (CN⁻), or single bonds in amines and amino acids.

These elements are part of the building blocks of various organic molecules and are vital for life.