According to the electron configuration overview, which statement is correct about bonding for O, N, H, and C?

• A. Oxygen wants to make 3 bonds, nitrogen wants to make 4, hydrogen wants to make 1, and carbon wants to make 4
• B. Oxygen wants to make 2 bonds, nitrogen wants to make 3, hydrogen wants to make 1, and carbon wants to make 4
• C. Oxygen wants to make 2 bonds, nitrogen wants to make 4, hydrogen wants to make 1, and carbon wants to make 3
• D. Oxygen wants to make 2 bonds, nitrogen wants to make 2, hydrogen wants to make 1, and carbon wants to make 5

Answer: (B)

Atoms bond to fill their valence shell to resemble noble gases, typically achieving an octet for non-hydrogen and a duet for hydrogen. Oxygen has six valence electrons and needs two more, so it commonly forms two covalent bonds. Nitrogen has five valence electrons and needs three more, forming three bonds. Hydrogen has one valence electron and needs one more to reach a duet, so it forms one bond. Carbon has four valence electrons and tends to form four bonds to complete its octet. Therefore, the most accurate statement is that oxygen forms two bonds, nitrogen forms three, hydrogen forms one, and carbon forms four. The other options misstate one or more atoms’ typical bonding counts.