CHAPTER-4 CARBON AND ITS

COMPOUNDS
Q.1 Why does carbon forms compounds mainly by covalent bonding?
Ans.It is not possible either to remove four electrons or to add as many as four
electronsto a carbon atom due to high energy considerations and acquire the inert
gasconfiguration
(i) It could gain four electrons forming C4- anion. But it would be difficult for the nucleus
with six protons to hold on to ten electrons, that is four extra electrons.
(ii) It could lose four electrons forming C4+ cation. But it would require a large amount
ofenergy to remove four electrons leaving behind a carbon atom with six protons in
its nucleus holding on to just two electrons.
So carbon overcomes this problem by sharing of electrons and achieve stability and
hence forms bond by covalent bonding.

Q.2 Give electron dot structures to show the

covalent bond in the following compounds.
Ans. Single covalent bond: A bond formed by
the sharing of one electron pair betweentwo
atoms is called a single covalent bond.

Double covalent bond: A bond formed by the

sharing of two pair of electrons betweentwo
atoms is called a double covalent bond.
 Triple covalent bond: A bond formed by the sharing of three pairs of electrons
between two atoms is called a triple covalent bond.

Q.3 Give reasons:

(i) Covalent compounds are poor conductors of electricity.
Ans. This is because bonding in these compounds does not give rise to any ions.
Sincethe electrons are shared between atoms and no charged particles are formed,
covalentcompounds are poor conductors of electricity.
(ii) Covalent compounds have low melting and boiling point.
Ans. This is because of weak intermolecular forces of attraction.

Q.4 What are the two properties of carbon which lead to the huge number of carbon
compounds we see around us?
Answer: The two properties of carbon which lead to the formation of huge number of
carbon compounds are:
(i) CATENATION -The self-combining property of carbon atoms through covalent
bonds is known as catenation. Due to this property carbon forms straight and
branched chains of varying lengths and rings of different sizes.
(ii) TETRAVALENCY –Since carbon has a valency of four, it is capable of bonding
with four other atoms of carbon as well as large number of other elements
like hydrogen, oxygen,nitrogen,sulphur etc.which leads to the formation of
huge number of carbon compounds.

Q.5 Why carbon forms exceptionally stable compounds with other elements?
Answer: This is because carbon has a small size which enables its nucleus to hold on to the
shared pair of electrons very strongly thus making stable compounds with other
elements.

Q.6 What would be the electron dot structure of a molecule of Sulphur which is made up
of 8 atoms of Sulphur ?
Answer:

Q.7 What would be the formula and electron dot structure of cyclopentane?
Answer: Molecular formula: C5H10
Q.8 Write two main difference between the nature of diamond and graphite.
ANS; Two main difference between diamond and graphite are:-
(i) Diamond is very hard whereas graphite is a soft substance.
(ii) Diamond is a poor conductor of electricity whereas graphite is a good conductor of
electricity.

Q.9 Differentiate between ionic and covalent compounds.

IONIC COMPOUNDS COVALENT COMPOUNDS

Ionic compounds are formed by gain or Covalent compounds are formed by
lose of electrons between two atoms. sharing of electrons between two atoms.
Ionic compounds are good conductor of Covalent compound are poor conductors
electricity in their aqueous solution or in of electricity.
their molten state.
Ionic compounds have high melting and Covalent compounds have low melting and
boiling point. boiling point.

Ionic compounds are usually soluble in Covalent compounds are usually insoluble
water. in water.

Ans.