Which of the following options represents the correct Lewis structure for methane (CH₄)?

Correct option is A

 Correct option: (a), A carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms with single bonds.

• ​Carbon (C) is in group 14 of the periodic table, so it has 4 valence electrons.
  
• Hydrogen (H) is in group 1, so each hydrogen atom has 1 valence electron.
  

Information Booster: 

​Since methane has one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms, the total number of valence electrons is:

$$(1 \times 4)+ (4\times 1) = 4 + 4 = 8$$ valence electrons

• ​Carbon is the central atom since it is less electro negative than hydrogen.
  
• Each hydrogen atom has 2 electrons (from the single bond with carbon), fulfilling its duet requirement.
  
• Final Lewis Structure:
  

​H | H H - C - H | H

• ​Carbon now has 8 electrons (4 bonds × 2 electrons per bond), fulfilling its octet. Each hydrogen atom has 2 electrons (from the single bond with carbon), fulfilling its duet requirement.
  

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