Explain the relationship between the position of an atom in a molecule and the number of bonds that the atom can form?

Answer 1

The position of an atom in a molecule, particularly its valence electron configuration, determines the number of bonds it can form. Atoms in the same group of the Periodic Table typically have similar valence electron arrangements, which influence their bonding behavior. For instance, carbon, with four valence electrons, can form four covalent bonds, while oxygen, with six, typically forms two. Thus, the position of an atom correlates with its bonding capacity based on its electron configuration.