Question

which of the following is a characteristic of a typical carbon atom? carbon has a high melting point. carbon dissolves easily in water. carbon can form single, double, and triple bonds. carbon is one of the least common elements in the universe.

Explanation:

• Carbon atoms have 4 valence electrons. This allows them to form single (e.g., in \(CH_4\), \(C - H\) single bonds), double (e.g., in \(C_2H_4\), \(C = C\) double bond), and triple bonds (e.g., in \(C_2H_2\), \(C\equiv C\) triple bond).
• Carbon has different allotropes (e.g., diamond has a high melting point, but graphite has a relatively lower melting - point compared to some other substances). Also, carbon (in the form of most of its allotropes like diamond, graphite) is non - polar and does not dissolve easily in water (a polar solvent). And carbon is not one of the most common elements in the universe (hydrogen and helium are more abundant).

Answer:

Carbon can form single, double, and triple bonds.