What is the maximum number of hydrogen atoms that can be covalently bonded in a molecule containing two carbon atoms?

Explanation:

Atomic number of carbon is 6 and its electronic distribution is 2, 4. This means that there are 4 valence electrons present in a carbon atom. Hence, in order to complete its octet it needs to gain 4 more electrons.

Whereas atomic number of hydrogen atom is 1. As in the given molecule there are only two carbon atoms. So, both of them will chemically combine together by sharing of one electron.

Hence, each carbon atom will be attached to three carbon atoms. In total there will be six hydrogen atoms.

Hence, the molecule will be .

The maximum number of hydrogen atoms that can be covalently bonded in a molecule containing two carbon atoms is 6.

To determine the number of possible covalent bonds, we need to consider the octet's rule: atoms will gain, lose or share electrons to fulfill their valence shell with 8 electrons. In the case of the covalent bonds, atoms will share 1 pair of electrons per covalent bond. Exceptionally, hydrogen needs only 2 electrons to fulfill its valence shell.

Carbon has 4 valence electrons and hydrogen has 1 valence electron. Then, each carbon atom can form 4 covalent bonds to reach its octet and each hydrogen atom can form 1 covalent bond to complete its duet.

Given 2 carbon atoms, and considering that they will form 1 covalent bond between them, each carbon atom can form 3 covalent bonds with hydrogen atoms, resulting in a total of 6 hydrogen atoms in the molecule. The compound formed is a hydrocarbon named ethane with the formula C₂H₆.

The maximum number of hydrogen atoms that can be covalently bonded in a molecule containing two carbon atoms is 6.

You can learn more about hydrocarbons here:

- lead + phosphoric acid = hydrogen + lead(ii) phosphate