An atom with 6 protons, 7 neutrons, and 6 electrons shares four pairs of electrons with four other atoms. This atom is now considered to be ________.
A) a cation
B) an anion
C) a neutral atom
D) stable
E) an ion

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The atom described is carbon, with 6 protons, 7 neutrons, and 6 electrons, making it a neutral atom in its base state. When it shares four pairs of electrons with four other atoms, it forms four covalent bonds, making it a stable molecule (like in methane, CH4, or in carbon's bonds with other atoms in organic compounds). This sharing of electrons does not result in the gain or loss of electrons, so it remains neutral and does not become an ion. The stability comes from fulfilling the octet rule, where atoms seek to have eight electrons in their valence shell.

An Atom with 6 Protons, 7 Neutrons, and 6 Electrons