According to the HONC mnemonic, how many electrons does Hydrogen need to become stable?

• A. 1
• B. 2
• C. 3
• D. 4

Answer: (A)

The HONC mnemonic is a useful tool for remembering the number of bonds typically formed by the elements Hydrogen (H), Oxygen (O), Nitrogen (N), and Carbon (C) in organic compounds. According to this mnemonic, Hydrogen is represented by "H" and is known to form one bond in order to achieve a stable electronic configuration.

Hydrogen has one electron in its outer shell and requires just one additional electron to fill that shell and reach stability, which is achieved by forming a single bond with another atom, typically another hydrogen or an electronegative atom. Thus, Hydrogen needs one electron to become stable, which aligns with the answer provided.

This rationale emphasizes the importance of Hydrogen's behavior in bonding and stability, integral to understanding chemical interactions in organic and inorganic chemistry contexts. Other elements represented in the HONC mnemonic, like Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Carbon, have different stability requirements based on their need to complete their respective valence shells.