Which among the following statements with respect to carbon is/are cor

Which among the following statements with respect to carbon is/are correct ?

1. Carbon forms the basis for all living organisms and many things we use
2. Carbon shows tetra-valency and the property of catenation
3. Carbon forms covalent bonds with itself and other elements
4. Carbon forms compounds containing triple and tetra bonds between carbon atoms

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 only

1 and 2 only

1, 2 and 3

2 and 4

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-2 – 2023

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Statements 1, 2, and 3 are correct. Carbon forms the backbone of all organic life and is present in countless materials we use (statement 1). Carbon has four valence electrons, allowing it to form four covalent bonds (tetra-valency), and it can bond with itself to form long chains or rings (catenation) (statement 2). Carbon forms covalent bonds not only with itself but also with other elements like hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, etc. (statement 3). Statement 4 is incorrect; carbon forms single, double, and triple bonds with other carbon atoms but not stable tetra (quadruple) bonds in typical organic chemistry contexts.

Carbon’s unique properties of tetra-valency and catenation, and its ability to form strong covalent bonds, are fundamental to organic chemistry and the diversity of carbon compounds. Carbon forms single, double, and triple bonds, but not quadruple bonds, between carbon atoms in stable molecules.

The vast number of carbon compounds makes organic chemistry a distinct branch of chemistry. Catenation is particularly strong in carbon, enabling the formation of complex molecular structures. While theoretical studies have explored the possibility of quadruple bonds in some exotic carbon species, they are not characteristic of carbon bonds in everyday substances.

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