Tetravalency of Carbon

Concept: Carbon has an atomic number of $$6$$ ($$1s^2 2s^2 2p^2$$) with $$4$$ valence electrons. It forms four covalent bonds via $$sp^3$$, $$sp^2$$ , or $$sp$$ hybridization.

Hybridization Geometry & Bond Angles:

• $$sp^3$$ : Tetrahedral, bond angle $$109.5^\circ$$
• $$sp^2$$ : Trigonal Planar, bond angle $$120^\circ$$
• $$sp$$ : Linear, bond angle $$180^\circ$$