Question

unique characteristic of carbon allows it to make 4 bonds with other atom?

Answer 1

The unique characteristic of carbon that allows it to make 4 bonds with other atom:

The Individual carbon atom have an incomplete outermost electron shell. With an atomic number of 6 (six electrons and six protons), the first two electrons fill the inner shell, leaving four in the second shell. To reach electronic stability, carbon atoms must share four electrons from other atoms. (The gaining or losing of four electrons requires too much energy in such a small atom). Therefore, carbon atoms can form four covalent bonds with other atoms to satisfy the octet rule. For example in case of methane molecule, it has the chemical formula CH₄. The each of its four hydrogen atoms forms a single covalent bond with the carbon atom by sharing a pair of electrons. This results in a filled outermost shell.