Carbon atoms can form several types of chemical bonds with other atoms, primarily:
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Single Bonds: Carbon can form single covalent bonds with other atoms by sharing one pair of valence electrons. For example, in methane (CH₄), carbon forms single bonds with four hydrogen atoms.
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Double Bonds: Carbon can form double bonds by sharing two pairs of electrons with another atom. An example is ethylene (C₂H₄), where each carbon atom is bonded to another carbon atom with a double bond, and each carbon is also bonded to two hydrogen atoms with single bonds.
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Triple Bonds: Carbon can also form triple bonds, where three pairs of electrons are shared between atoms. A common example of this is acetylene (C₂H₂), where the two carbon atoms are connected by a triple bond, and each carbon atom is also bonded to one hydrogen atom with a single bond.
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Coordinate Bonds: In some instances, carbon can form coordinate (or dative) bonds, where it shares an electron pair with another atom that has an empty orbital. This is less common in simple organic compounds but can occur in coordination compounds.
These bonding abilities allow carbon to form a wide variety of compounds, making it a fundamental element in organic chemistry and life itself.
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