Explain why carbon forms mostly covalent compounds ?

Explanation

Carbon has 4 electrons in its valence shell. To attain stability, it should either gain 4 electrons or lose 4 electrons. It cannot lose 4 electrons as it involves a lot of energy. Also, it cannot gain 4 electrons because the nucleus containing six protons cannot hold on to four extra electrons added. Therefore to complete the octet, it shares four electrons with other atoms. That is why carbon forms compounds mainly by covalent bonding.