question_answer 4)

What are the two properties of carbon which lead to the huge number of carbon compounds we see around us ?

Answer:

(i) Catenation: Carbon has the unique property of self linking which is known as catenation. In fact, any number of carbon atoms can be linked to one another by covalent bonds. This is on account of the stability of C — C bonds since the size of the carbon atom is quite small. (ii) Linking of carbon with other atoms: Carbon is tetravalent in nature and can readily unite with atoms like hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur etc. by electron sharing.