In its ground state, carbon has four valence electrons and needs four more to reach the octet.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is true. Carbon, with an atomic number of 6, has 2 electrons in its first energy level (in the 1s orbital) and 4 electrons in its second energy level (in the 2s and 2p orbitals). Since its outermost energy level is not full (it only has 4 electrons when it needs 8 to fill the octet), carbon is able to form bonds with other atoms to complete its octet.

In Its Ground State, Carbon Has Four Valence Electrons and Needs