Examine the versatility of carbons through the compunds it forms with hydrogen?

Answer 1

The versitility of carbon lies in its ability to convert its electron orbitals to hybrid orbitals for the purpose of forming compounds. This is a feature (low activation energy for the conversion process) that is of maximum effect with IV elements (silicon, germanium, tin, lead, etc.) Thus, two carbons can combine with hydrogen to form ethane (C2H6), ethylene (C2H4) or acetylene (C2H2).