In this covalent molecule of methane,
A) carbon is sharing its four electrons with the hydrogens.
B) carbon has donated four electrons to hydrogen, leaving it with a charge of +4.
C) hydrogen has eight electrons in its valence shell.
D) carbon is very unstable.
E) carbon does not have an octet of electrons.

Question

In this covalent molecule of methane, 
A) carbon is sharing its four electrons with the hydrogens. 
B) carbon has donated four electrons to hydrogen, leaving it with a charge of +4. 
C) hydrogen has eight electrons in its valence shell. 
D) carbon is very unstable. 
E) carbon does not have an octet of electrons.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In a covalent molecule of methane, carbon shares its four valence electrons with four hydrogen atoms, resulting in a stable molecule with each atom having a full outer shell of eight electrons (except for hydrogen, which has two). Therefore, choice A is the correct answer. Choices B, C, D, and E are incorrect.

In This Covalent Molecule of Methane