Bonding Capacity

Bonding capacity refers to the maximum number of chemical bonds an atom can form with other atoms. It is determined by the number of electrons in its outermost shell that are available for bonding, known as valence electrons. For example, carbon has four valence electrons and can typically form four bonds, while oxygen has six valence electrons and usually forms two bonds. Bonding capacity helps predict how atoms combine to form molecules, ensuring the compounds are chemically stable according to their electronic structure.