© examsnet.com
Question : 1
Total: 15
"Carbon prefers to share its valence electrons with other atoms of carbon or with atoms of other elements rather than gaining or losing the valence electrons in order to attain noble gas configuration." Give reasons to justify this statement.
Solution:
Carbon shares its valence electrons because of the following two reasons:
1. If carbon gains four extra electrons to attain octet, it will be very difficult for the nucleus with only 4 protons to hold on to 4 extra electrons because of the small size of the atom.
2. If carbon looses four electrons of the outermost shell to attain octet in last shell, it will require a large amount of energy to overcome the electrostatic force of attraction by the nucleus.
Thus it prefers to share electrons with other atoms of carbon or with atoms of other elements.
1. If carbon gains four extra electrons to attain octet, it will be very difficult for the nucleus with only 4 protons to hold on to 4 extra electrons because of the small size of the atom.
2. If carbon looses four electrons of the outermost shell to attain octet in last shell, it will require a large amount of energy to overcome the electrostatic force of attraction by the nucleus.
Thus it prefers to share electrons with other atoms of carbon or with atoms of other elements.
© examsnet.com
Go to Question: