The correct option describing the structure of the electron shells in a neutral carbon atom is:
D) The inner shell is complete with two electrons. The outer shell is incomplete with four electrons.
A neutral carbon atom has a total of 6 electrons. The first shell can hold a maximum of 2 electrons, and the second shell can hold up to 8 electrons. In a carbon atom, the configuration of the electrons is 2 in the inner shell and 4 in the outer shell (1s² 2s² 2p²).