For example, the H forms 2 bonds with oxygen so the valency of oxygen is 2. Now, we know that the number of electrons in the outermost shell of carbon is 4. In order to achieve the noble gas configuration of the nearest noble gas, carbon makes four bonds with hydrogen. Therefore, the valency of carbon is 4. It is also called the tetravalency of ... The atomic number of carbon is 6 and its symbol is ‘C’. The last shell of carbon has four electrons. Therefore, the valence electrons of carbon are four. The correct answer is 4. Key Points A carbon atom has four electrons in its outermost valence shell. So, it needs four more electrons to complete the octet configuration. So the valency of carbon is 4. Carbon is the 6th element in the periodic table which means it has 6 electrons. According to its electronic configuration, 2 electrons are in K shell and the remaining 4 are in the L shell. Electrons in the last shell are called valence electrons and the number of these electrons determine the ... Valency of carbon refers to the combining capacity of a carbon atom, which determines how many other atoms it can bond with. This concept is important in areas like chemical bonding, molecular structure, and organic chemistry.