Question

Explain each statement in terms of atomic properties:(a) Carbon engages in covalent rather than ionic bonding. (b) Carbon has four bonds in all its organic compounds.(c) Carbon forms neither stable cations, like many metals, nor stable anions, like many nonmetals.(d) Carbon bonds to itself more extensively than does any other element. (e) Carbon forms stable multiple bonds.

Short answer

The answer is,

(a) Due to the atomic configuration of the carbon atom.

(b) Due to the covalent nature of the carbon atom.

(c) Tendency to accept or donate four electrons.

(d) Covalency and Catenation

(e) Tendency to form tetravalent state and catenation

Step-by-step solution

 Carbon

Carbon is an atom of atomic number six, with four valence electrons in it. The two valence electrons are in 2s orbitals, and two are in 2p orbitals. These electrons are ready to donate to other atoms by covalent bonding. The atom has a tendency to accept four more electrons to complete the octet.

Subpart (a)

The carbon atom has an atomic number of four and needs more four electrons than to complete the octet. Therefore, the carbon atom is ready to donate four electrons and accept four electrons to complete the octet. Hence, Carbon engages in covalent rather than ionic bonding.

Subpart (b)

The covalent nature of the carbon atom and the tendency to accept four electrons to complete the octet causes the atom to form four bonds in an organic compound.

Subpart (c)

Carbon is an atom which tends to donate or accept four electrons to complete an octet state with eight electrons. The carbon can be classified as a metalloid. Hence, carbon forms neither stable cations, like many metals, nor stable anions, like many nonmetals.

Subpart (d)

The covalency nature of the carbon atom and the electronic configuration with four valence electrons showing the nature of non-metals.

Subpart (e)

The tetravalency is an important property of carbon which makes it suitable for the formation of multiple bonds with other carbon atoms and other atoms.