Carbon addresses the electron gaining or losing challenge by sharing valence electrons with other atoms, a strategy also adopted by various elements to form molecules through the sharing of electrons.
How does carbon overcome the challenge of gaining or losing electrons, and what is the common strategy shared by many elements for forming molecules?
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Carbon overcomes the challenge of gaining or losing electrons by engaging in covalent bonding, where it shares electrons with other atoms. This strategy, shared by many elements, involves the formation of molecules through the sharing of valence electrons. In covalent bonds, atoms share electron pairs to achieve a stable configuration, resembling the noble gases. Carbon, with a valency of four, shares electrons with other carbon atoms or atoms of different elements, forming diverse and complex molecules. The covalent bonding approach allows for the creation of stable compounds, overcoming the limitations associated with gaining or losing electrons.