Carbon-12 is the most common isotope of carbon. It has 6 protons, 6 neutrons, and 6 electrons. Of its 6 electrons, 4 are valence electrons. How many covalent bonds can a carbon atom form?

A. 1

B. 4

C. 6

D. 12

A carbon atom can form 4 covalent bonds.

I think the correct answer from the choices listed above is option B. Of its 6 electrons, 4 are valence electrons, a carbon atom can form 4 covalent bonds with other elements. It is the 4 valence electrons available that allows this. Hope this answers the question.