Electrons

[JAG7]

A carbon atom has 6 electrons. How many does it need to lose to become hydrogen like?

[j2buttonsw]

It is the number of protons that determine what element it is. Carbon has 6 protons (atomic number is 6) so it would have to lose 5 protons to become hydrogen (atomic number of 1). If it lost electons it would become an ion of carbon.

[3Styler]

j2 is right, the element is determined on its proton number not electron number, and i dont believe possible to lose 6 protons anyway so i think you've got question wrong.  If you meant how many electrons does carbon have to gain/lose to become a noble gas (like hydrogen) then the answer is that it must gain four more elctrons to achieve a full outer shell but i believe it is impossible to gain/lose more than 3 electrons because it requires too much energy.  So in short what is your actual question?

[Hamish]

A carbon atom has 6 electrons, 1s2, 2s2 and 2p2. if it looses 2 p electons and one s electron its electon configuration will be similar to that of hydrogen 1s1.

A nobel gas configuration would require the loss or gain of 4 electons - both possible for carbon.

For future ref osmium can loose up to 8 electons to form a stable compound - a bit of a record breaker as oxidation states go.

[tommy666]

im not sure about this, but im pretty sure hydrogen isnt a noble gas 3styler