in terms of orbital theory why does carbon always form 4 bonds?

Answer 1

Carbon has an electronic structure

1s2 2s2 2p2

So 4 four electrons on the shell L n=2

Often these 4 electrons in molecules are not in as I have written
2s2 2p2 , but hybridize to form a symmetric buiding
2s1 2p3
In this case carbon can share 4 electrons with other atoms and form 4 bounds with atoms like H or Cl.

But, it is not always the case. Carbon can have double or triple bonds..

Answer 2

you're definitely good. Carbon has in ordinary terms 2 unpaired electrons, yet 4 valence electrons. The electron configuration of C (At.No : 6) 1s2 2s2 2p2 Distribution of those electrons to the potential stages; 1st potential point (shell) : 2 2d potential point (shell) : 4 because of the fact the Lewis shape shows the valence electrons as dots (.) around the emblem of the factor, there are 4 dots around C in the Lewis image of carbon. yet this does not recommend that carbon has 4 unpaired electrons. in case you write the orbital diagram for C; 1s2(paired) 2s2(paired) 2px1 2py1 2pz0 in accordance to Hund's Rule, 2e- in 2p sub-shell are disbursed one by one to p-orbitals. consequently 2px orbital has one unpaired e-, 2py orbital has one unpaired e-, and 2pz orbital is vacant. whilst C is in a position to type a compound under the effect of yet another atom, by way of repulsive forces of electron clouds of C and the coming atom, the aptitude potential of electrons improve and this reasons between the electrons in 2s orbital to sell an excited state. It jumps into 2pz orbital. because of the fact the completed style of valence electrons does not exchange, the lewis shape of C does not exchange. in the excited state the electron configuration of C turns into: 1s2(paired) 2s1(unpaired) 2px1(unpaired) 2py1(unpaired) 2pz1(unpaired) P orbitals have greater potential than s orbitals (in an identical shell). Then 3 p orbitals lose some potential and one s orbital beneficial factors some potential, and that they type 4 same orbitals composed of one s and 3 p orbitals. consequently those orbitals are called "hybrid" orbitals and the technique is termed "the hybridization". considering the fact that throughout the time of this hybridization one s and 3 p orbitals are used the form of hybridization is termed sp3 hybridization. The call of the orbitals are called "sp3 hybrid orbitals". precis by given the electron configurations: floor State: 1s2 2s2 2px1 2py1 2pz0 Excited State: 1s2 2s1 2px1 2py1 2pz1 Hybridized State: 1s2 2sp3(one million) 2sp3(one million) 2sp3(one million) 2sp3(one million)

Answer 3

It has 4 electrons in its valence shell and 8 is the magic number.