Which statement best explains why carbon bonds to four hydrogen atoms to form methane but to only

Question

two oxygen atoms to form carbon dioxide?(1 point)
Hydrogen shares one valence electron with carbon, and oxygen shares two valence electrons.
Hydrogen shares electrons with carbon, but oxygen transfers its electrons.
The carbon in methane has more valence electrons to share than the carbon in carbon dioxide.
The carbon in carbon dioxide is stable, with fewer valence electrons than the carbon in methane.

Answer 1

The statement that best explains why carbon bonds to four hydrogen atoms to form methane but to only two oxygen atoms to form carbon dioxide is:

Hydrogen shares one valence electron with carbon, and oxygen shares two valence electrons.

This accurately describes the nature of the bonding: carbon can form four single covalent bonds with four hydrogen atoms (each sharing one electron), while with oxygen, carbon forms two double bonds (each oxygen shares two electrons).