Question

Why are carbon compounds so large in numbers?
A . Because of the study in the field.
B . Because of the property of catenation (self-linking) of the carbon.
C . Both A and B.
D. Because of its affinity to hydrogen.

Answer 1

Carbon is a nonmetal element of the periodic table. Non-metals are electronegative and form bonds by electron sharing. From left to right of a row non- metallic character increases and top to bottom of group non-metallic character decreases. Colour of a nonmetallic element is not a common property of non-metals.

Complete step by step answer:
In case of carbon, due to the high bond energy of carbon-carbon bonds, it can form long chain compounds. It can form so many compounds as it can make bonds with four other atoms by covalent bond , this is because of its small size and electronegativity. This property is called catenation.
So, the reason carbon compounds are so large in numbers is the property of catenation (self-linking) of the carbon.

Therefore, the correct option is B.

Note:
In case of sulfur the reason for formation of an octa atomic molecule is that, due to the large size of sulfur it cannot form ${\text{p\pi - p\pi }}$ double bond. Due to this reason it forms ${{\text{S}}_8}$ by sigma bonding. On the other hand, with the same group element oxygen due to small size it can form ${\text{p\pi - p\pi }}$ double bond and form dioxygen. This kind of similar concept is also observed between nitrogen and phosphorous, where nitrogen is diatomic as it can form ${\text{p\pi - p\pi }}$ bond but phosphorus forms ${{\text{P}}_{\text{4}}}$.