In a CH₄ molecule (methane), the carbon atom undergoes covalent bonding with four hydrogen atoms. Covalent bonding involves sharing of electrons between atoms to achieve a stable electron configuration. In this case, each hydrogen atom shares one of its valence electrons with the carbon atom, and the carbon atom shares one of its valence electrons with each of the four hydrogen atoms. This results in the formation of four strong covalent bonds, each consisting of a pair of shared electrons. These covalent bonds hold the atoms together and give the CH₄ molecule its characteristic tetrahedral shape.