Give the number of covalent bonds that a carbon atom can form.

four covalent bonds

Explanation:

A carbon atom would form 4 covalent bonds.

For a covalent bond to be formed, an atom would share its valence electrons with another. In this process, each atom would require unpaired electrons for this bond to be formed. The number of available unpaired electrons would represent the number of electrons needed to complete the outer energy level of the atom.

In a carbon atom, we have no lone pair of electrons and 4 unpaired electrons. When these 4 electrons are shared with those of other atoms, they produce a complete octet which perfectly mimics the noble gases.