When one atom of carbon (c) combines with four atoms of hydrogen (h), four nonpolar covalent bonds form, resulting in a molecule of methane (ch4). which of the following describes the arrangement of valence electrons in a bond between c and h?

the valence electrons spend more time around the atom of c.

the valence electrons spend more time around the atom of h.

the valence electrons are shared equally between c and h.

the valence electrons are given up by the h and gained by the c.

The correct answer is that the valence electrons are shared equally between C and H-atoms.

Explanation: In molecule, 1 Carbon atom combines with 4 Hydrogen atoms to form 4 covalent bonds.

The electronic configuration of C-atom =

The electronic configuration of H-atom =

From the electronic configuration, we see that, the C-atom is short of 4 electrons and when it combines with 4 H-atom having 1 electron in its valence shell, both the atoms shares electrons equally in order to attain stable electronic configurations.

vanderwaal's forces of attraction are the electrostatic intermolecular forces that exist in a molecule due to the temporary or permanent dipoles that are developed in a molecule. in , the major intermolecular forces are dipole-dipole interactions as the molecule is polar (bent structure). so the vanderwaal's forces of interaction in between molecules are the permanent dipole-dipole interactions that develop due to the dipole that exists in between the polar h - s bond. the positively charged hydrogen atom is attracted towards the negative end of the dipole that is sulfur of the adjacent molecule. therefore, these forces of attraction are relatively stronger than that of london dispersion forces that exist in non polar molecules.