Let's break down the statement so that each part correctly describes the properties of methane (CH4).
- The bonds in methane are covalent
- because hydrogen and carbon have different electronegativity. (Note: While hydrogen and carbon do have some difference in electronegativity, they can be said to be somewhat similar in the context of covalent bonding, but "different" would be a more scientifically accurate choice.)
- Carbon bonds with four hydrogen atoms because hydrogen has one valence electron(s) and carbon has four valence electrons;
- so carbon shares one valence electron(s) with each of the four hydrogen atoms to satisfy the necessary valence electrons for carbon and two for hydrogen to become stable.
So the correct substitutes would be:
- similar > different (this could be retained depending on the context of 'similar' being in a specific range)
- hydrogen has one valence electron
- carbon has four valence electrons
- carbon shares one valence electron with hydrogen
- two for hydrogen
- stable would remain as is.
So the adjusted full statement would be:
"The bonds in methane are covalent because hydrogen and carbon have different electronegativity. Carbon bonds with four hydrogen atoms because hydrogen has one valence electron(s) and carbon has four valence electrons; so carbon shares one valence electron(s) with each of the four hydrogen atoms to satisfy the necessary valence electrons for carbon and two for hydrogen to become stable."
Please note that "similar" in a certain context can be acceptable, depending on how closely they align in electronegativity on the periodic table (carbon and hydrogen do form covalent bonds despite having different electronegativity values).