EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -The carbon atom is called tetravalent because it forms 4 covalent bonds. A carbon atom has a total of six electrons occupying the first two shells, i.e., the K-shell has two electrons and the L-shell has four electrons.

Detailed explanation-2: -Tetravalence of Carbon It has 4 valence electrons, so the probability of formation of four bonds is maximum. The bonds formed by the s orbital electrons will not be the same as that of p orbital electrons. So in the formation of one molecule of CH4, there will be a combination of 1 C atom with 4 H atoms.

Detailed explanation-3: -Carbon atom can neither lose nor gain electrons to complete its octet (not possible from energy point of view). Therefore, carbon atom completes its octet by sharing four electrons with other atoms i.e., it can form four covalent bonds. This is called tetracovalency.

Detailed explanation-4: -Such atoms having valency four are known as tetravalent. Example: Carbon : Carbon has atomic number .

Detailed explanation-5: -As carbon possesses atomic number 6, it means that carbon grain has a total of 6 electrons. . Carbon obeys the sextet rule and forms 4 covalent bonds with other particles to get a stable electronic configuration. Thus, carbon is tetravalent (It means valency of carbon is 4.)