Question

Assertion:Carbon shows tetravalency in all carbon compounds.
Reason:Carbon shares its four valence electrons with other atoms and forms four single covalent bonds to get nearest noble gas formation.
(A) Both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion
(B) Both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion
(C) Assertion is true but reason is false
(D) Both assertion and reason are false

Answer 1

To solve this question, we must first understand some basic concepts about the Carbon atom. Then we need to assess its characteristics of forming multiple bonds and then only we can conclude the correct answer.

Complete answer: Before we move forward with the solution of this given question, let us first understand some basic concepts: The valency of carbon is four and one atom of carbon can make four covalent bonds.Due to the specific properties of the element, Carbon has established its importance among the other elements. The properties which make carbon so important are:
1.Catenation
2.Tetravalency
3.Size of atom
Ground state electronic configuration of carbon is $1{s^2},{\text{ }}2{s^2},{\text{ }}2{p^2}$ . 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 $C{H_4}$ , there will be a combination of $1C$ atom with $4H$ atoms.From the above explanation we can easily conclude that carbon shares its four valence electrons with other atoms and forms four single covalent bonds to get nearest noble gas formation. This is known as tetravalency. Thus Carbon shows tetravalency in all hydrocarbons. And therefore, both the statements are true.

So, clearly we can conclude that the correct answer is Option (A).

Note: The number of electrons exchanged, lost or obtained by an atom during a chemical reaction is referred to as the element’s valency. The atom’s outermost shell is called the ‘valence shell’ and the ‘valence electrons’ are called the electrons found in that shell.