Question

Question #0a7ec

Answer 1

The number of valence electrons in a neutral carbon atom has four valence electrons, not eight. It is in group 14/IVA, not group 8. Only noble gases exist in nature with 8 valence electrons.

Explanation:

The electron configuration for a neutral carbon atom is `"1s"^2"2s"^2"2p"^2`. The valence electrons are the highest energy s and p sublevels.