answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Because carbon has only property that it can form bond by metal,non-metal & by itself.

Carbon also has an electron cloud which allows it to bond in four different places, which allows for all sorts of branching and elaborate chains.

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

AnswerBot

1mo ago

Carbon atoms can form long chains because they can bond with each other through strong covalent bonds. Carbon has four valence electrons that can be shared with other carbon atoms, allowing for the formation of stable chains with diverse structures and properties. This versatility in bonding allows carbon to create a wide range of organic compounds.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

The reason is because carbon has the ability to form into its self.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

Carbon atoms have four valence electrons, allowing them to form strong covalent bonds with many other elements.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

carbon has the ability to form into its self.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

Carbon: and in a parallel way Silicon is in the same Periodic Table Group [short Answer].

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

They can hybridise easily and form sp3 sp2 sp orbitals which easily overlap and covalent bond. Also having 4 valence electrons means it is energetically unfavorable to form C4+ or C4-

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why can carbon atoms form long chains?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Chemistry

Why are Carbon atoms able to form long chains while oxygen atoms cannot?

Carbon atoms are able to form long chains because they can bond to each other through strong covalent bonds, forming stable structures. Oxygen, on the other hand, is more electronegative and tends to form more stable molecules by bonding with other elements like carbon, rather than forming long chains with itself.


What is the only element that can form chemical bonds with itself to form long stable chains?

Carbon is the only element that can form chemical bonds with itself to form long stable chains, such as in organic molecules. This ability is due to carbon's unique ability to form multiple covalent bonds with other atoms, including other carbon atoms, allowing for the formation of a wide variety of complex and diverse compounds.


What is Catenation and hybridization of carbon?

Catenation is the ability of carbon atoms to bond with each other to form long chains or rings. Hybridization of carbon refers to the mixing of atomic orbitals to form hybrid orbitals that have different geometries and allow carbon to form multiple bonds with other atoms.


What about the carbon atom makes it an ideal atom to form the backbone or skelton for most biological compounds?

Carbon has four valence electrons, allowing it to form strong covalent bonds with other elements. This flexibility enables carbon to form diverse structures and shapes, making it ideal for creating complex biological molecules. Additionally, carbon can form stable bonds with other carbon atoms, leading to the formation of long carbon chains that serve as the backbone for biological compounds.


The self linking property of carbon is called as?

The self-linking property of carbon is called catenation. It refers to the ability of carbon atoms to form stable covalent bonds with other carbon atoms, creating long chains and rings.

Related questions

Why are Carbon atoms able to form long chains while oxygen atoms cannot?

Carbon atoms are able to form long chains because they can bond to each other through strong covalent bonds, forming stable structures. Oxygen, on the other hand, is more electronegative and tends to form more stable molecules by bonding with other elements like carbon, rather than forming long chains with itself.


Can Carbon form chains?

Yes, carbon can form chains through covalent bonding with other carbon atoms. These chains can be linear, branched, or cyclic, leading to the creation of a variety of organic compounds. The ability of carbon to form long chains is a key characteristic that allows for the vast diversity of organic molecules found in nature.


What is the only element that can form chemical bonds with itself to form long stable chains?

Carbon is the only element that can form chemical bonds with itself to form long stable chains, such as in organic molecules. This ability is due to carbon's unique ability to form multiple covalent bonds with other atoms, including other carbon atoms, allowing for the formation of a wide variety of complex and diverse compounds.


What unusual property do carbon atoms have that other elements do not have?

Carbon atoms have the unique ability to form long chains and complex structures by bonding with other carbon atoms through covalent bonds. This property, known as catenation, allows carbon to create a wide variety of organic compounds, making it the basis of life on Earth.


Does silicon form compounds made of long chains of atoms?

Yes, silicon can form compounds with long chains of atoms called polysilicones or silicones. These compounds are known for their flexibility, thermal stability, and water repellent properties. Silicon-oxygen chains can also form in silicates, which are common minerals in the Earth's crust.


Are long chains of carbon and hydrogen atoms that combine with glycerol molecules to form a lipid?

Fatty acid molecules do so.


What is Catenation and hybridization of carbon?

Catenation is the ability of carbon atoms to bond with each other to form long chains or rings. Hybridization of carbon refers to the mixing of atomic orbitals to form hybrid orbitals that have different geometries and allow carbon to form multiple bonds with other atoms.


What about the carbon atom makes it an ideal atom to form the backbone or skelton for most biological compounds?

Carbon has four valence electrons, allowing it to form strong covalent bonds with other elements. This flexibility enables carbon to form diverse structures and shapes, making it ideal for creating complex biological molecules. Additionally, carbon can form stable bonds with other carbon atoms, leading to the formation of long carbon chains that serve as the backbone for biological compounds.


The self linking property of carbon is called as?

The self-linking property of carbon is called catenation. It refers to the ability of carbon atoms to form stable covalent bonds with other carbon atoms, creating long chains and rings.


What are three characteristics of carbon that contribute to the diversity of organic compounds?

Carbon can bond with other carbon atoms making long carbon chains. Carbon can form strong pi-bonds allowing for double and triple bonds between carbon atoms as well, and the carbon-carbon pi-bonds can be delocalized for additional stability in rings.


What element is important in the chemistry of life and forms compounds made of long chains of atoms?

Carbon is the element that is important in the chemistry of life and forms compounds made of long chains of atoms. Carbon's ability to form strong covalent bonds with other carbon atoms and with a variety of other elements allows for the diversity and complexity of organic molecules found in living organisms.


Most lipids contain long chains of which two atoms?

Carbon and hydrogen.