Bonding to carbon atoms | Exit Quiz | Oak National Academy

How many covalent bonds can a carbon atom typically form?

Answer explanation

Carbon atoms form up to four covalent bonds to fill their outer shell with eight electrons, achieving stability.

Which of the following best defines a covalent bond?

• attraction between opposite charges

• shared electrons

• transfer of electrons from one atom to another

• bond between non-metal atoms

• electrostatic attraction between nuclei and shared pair of electrons

Answer explanation

A covalent bond is the strong electrostatic attraction between a shared pair of electrons and the nuclei of the bonded atoms.

What is an organic compound?

• A compound containing only carbon and hydrogen.

• A compound found in living organisms.

• A compound with carbon atoms covalently bonded to other elements.

• A naturally occurring compound.

• A synthetic compound.

Answer explanation

An organic compound is one where carbon atoms are covalently linked to atoms of other elements, commonly hydrogen, oxygen, or nitrogen.

A ___ is a particle consisting of a fixed number of non-metal atoms covalently bonded together.

Answer explanation

A molecule is a particle consisting of a fixed number of non-metal atoms covalently bonded together.

In a covalent bond, what is being shared between atoms?

Answer explanation

In covalent bonds, atoms share electrons to achieve stability.

True or false? Carbon atoms in organic compounds can form only straight chain and branched chain structures.

• true

• false

Answer explanation

Carbon atoms in organic compounds can form straight and branched chain structures as well as ring structures.