* Carbon's Bonding Capacity: Carbon has 4 valence electrons, meaning it can form 4 covalent bonds.
* Single Bonds: Each carbon atom can form a single bond with another carbon atom. This leaves 3 bonding positions available on each carbon atom.
* Maximum Hydrogen Atoms: Therefore, each carbon can bond with a maximum of 3 hydrogen atoms. With two carbon atoms, the total number of hydrogen atoms is 3 x 2 = 6.
The molecule with this maximum number of hydrogen atoms is ethane (C2H6).
