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.

Question

(4 points)

Answer 1

The bonds in methane (CH₄) are covalent, as the difference in electronegativity between carbon (2.55) and hydrogen (2.20) is small, allowing them to share electrons rather than fully transferring them as in ionic bonds. Carbon has four valence electrons and can form four covalent bonds by sharing one electron with each of the four hydrogen atoms, each of which has one valence electron. This sharing of electrons enables carbon to fulfill the octet rule, achieving a stable electron configuration. Therefore, in methane, each bond contributes to a complete outer shell for both carbon and hydrogen.