Question

Assertion (A): Carbon shares its valence electrons with other atoms of carbon or with atoms of other elements.
Reason (R): The shared electrons belong to the outermost shells of both the atoms and lead to both atoms attaining the noble gas configuration.

• A. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
• B. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
• C. Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
• D. Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.

Hint:

Covalent bonding in carbon:

• Carbon shares electrons (not transfers) due to its 4 valence electrons.
• Sharing allows both atoms to achieve noble gas configuration (octet rule).
• This explains why carbon forms millions of compounds (catenation and tetravalency).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The question here involves evaluating the truth of a given assertion and its reason, particularly focusing on carbon's electron-sharing behavior and its consequences. Let's analyze each part sequentially:

1. Assertion (A): Carbon shares its valence electrons with other atoms of carbon or with atoms of other elements.
   This statement is true. Carbon, with its four valence electrons, can form covalent bonds by sharing electrons with other atoms, including other carbon atoms or atoms of different elements.
2. Reason (R): The shared electrons belong to the outermost shells of both the atoms and lead to both atoms attaining the noble gas configuration.
   This statement is also true. In covalent bonding, the shared electrons do contribute to each atom’s valence shell configuration, allowing them to achieve a stable configuration similar to noble gases.
3. Relation between Assertion and Reason: The reason provided explains why carbon shares electrons. By sharing electrons, carbon atoms can achieve a full outer shell, mimicking noble gas configurations, which is an energetically favorable state. Hence, the reason explains the assertion perfectly.
4. Conclusion: Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason explains the assertion correctly. Thus, the correct option is:
   Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).