How many valence electrons does carbon have and why are they important?

Answer:

Carbon has four valence electrons. These valence electrons are important because these electrons are responsible for reactivities. Using these electrons, carbon forms bonds with other elements.

Here is the way on how to find valence electrons for carbon.

Explanation:

To find out the number of valence electrons in a carbon atom,we need to look at the periodic table.

The position of carbon in the periodic table  is in group 4A.For main group elements,valence electrons are equal to the group number.So a carbon atom has four valence electrons in its valence shell.

Carbon is an element of group 14.Now just consider the unit place digit from group number.You are getting 4 which is equal to the number of valence electrons in carbon.

Here is the another way to find out the valence electrons of carbon.

The atomic number of carbon is 6.So it has six electrons totally.

Now do the electronic configuration of carbon.

C(6) =1s2 2s2 2p2

The valence shell is the outermost shell and the electrons that are present in valence shell is called valence electrons.

The valence shell or energy level can be identified by the highest value of principal quantum number ,n.Here the highest value of n is 2.So,the valence shell is the 2nd shell.

In 2nd shell we get 4 valence electrons.So  each carbon has 4 valence electrons.