Which statement about carbon-based organic molecules is supported by the material?

• A. They form four covalent bonds with hydrogen only
• B. They can form four covalent bonds with other atoms
• C. They form only ionic bonds
• D. They never form rings

Answer: (B)

Carbon’s ability to form four covalent bonds is what drives the diversity of organic molecules. With four valence electrons, carbon tends to share electrons to complete its outer shell, so it can bond to up to four other atoms. Those bonds aren’t limited to hydrogen; carbon commonly bonds to other carbons and to elements like oxygen, nitrogen, or sulfur, which lets it make long chains, branched structures, and rings. Bonds can be single, double, or triple, giving saturated or unsaturated structures and enabling a wide range of functionalities. For example, methane shows four C–H bonds, ethene shows a C=C double bond, and cyclohexane demonstrates a ring structure. That versatility is why the statement about forming four covalent bonds with other atoms is the best description. The other options are not correct because carbon bonds covalently (not only ionic), isn’t limited to hydrogen, and frequently forms rings in many organic molecules.