Multiple choice Carbon atoms can achieve the inert gas electron arrangement only by? To remove four electrons from a carbon atom To add four electrons to a carbon atom The sharing to form covalent bonds None of these Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself C Correct answer Explanation Carbon has four valence electrons. It is energetically unfavorable to lose or gain four electrons, so it achieves a stable octet by sharing electrons with other atoms to form covalent bonds.