Carbon in methane has a valency of 4, as it shares its four valence electrons with four hydrogen atoms to achieve stability.
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The valency of carbon in methane (CH₄) is four. Methane, a simple hydrocarbon, consists of one carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms through single covalent bonds. Carbon has four valence electrons and shares each of them with one of the four hydrogen atoms. By forming four covalent bonds, carbon achieves a stable electron configuration, resembling the noble gas configuration of neon. The valency of carbon is determined by the number of electrons it shares in its outermost shell, and in the case of methane, it forms four sigma (σ) bonds, indicating a valency of four.