What gives carbon the ability to form chains that are almost unlimited in length?

it has 4 electrons surrounding it. Every electron wants to be bonded to another electron. That means every atom want 8 electrons total. Carbon on its own only has 4 electrons. That means it can make 4 bonds.

Explanation: it has 4 electrons surrounding it. Every electron wants to be bonded to another electron. That means every atom want 8 electrons total. Carbon on its own only has 4 electrons. That means it can make 4 bonds.

samuel de champlain. in 1608, king henry iv sponsored pierre dugua, sieur de mons and samuel de champlain as founders of the city of quebec with 28 men. this was the second permanent french settlement in the colony of canada.