Methane has four covalent bonds.
Methane (CH₄) is a simple molecule where a single carbon atom is bonded to four hydrogen atoms. Each of these bonds is a covalent bond, formed by the sharing of electrons between the carbon and hydrogen atoms.
Here's a breakdown:
- Carbon's Bonding Capacity: Carbon has four valence electrons (electrons in its outermost shell). To achieve a stable octet (eight electrons in its outer shell), it needs to form four bonds.
- Hydrogen's Bonding Capacity: Hydrogen has one valence electron and needs one more to achieve a stable duet (two electrons).
- Covalent Bond Formation: Each hydrogen atom shares its single electron with the carbon atom, and the carbon atom shares one of its four valence electrons with each hydrogen atom. This sharing creates a covalent bond.
- Four Covalent Bonds: Since carbon bonds with four hydrogen atoms, it forms four covalent bonds in a methane molecule.
Therefore, the structure of methane involves four single covalent bonds between the central carbon atom and the four surrounding hydrogen atoms.
