Question

Carbon atoms are able to

give off electrons to form negative carbon ions

bond with other carbon atoms to form long chains

gain four extra electrons to form positive carbon ions

form five single covalent bonds with their valence electrons

Answer 1

A carbon has four valence electrons and needs four more to complete its octet. It gets those four by sharing four electrons with *up to four* other atoms. Sometimes it shares more than one electron with the same atom. Hope that is helpful. :D