Answer the following question given this paragraph: 

Let’s briefly review the basics of covalent bonding as they pertain to carbon. Carbon has four valence electrons, which have a 2s 2 2p 2 configuration in isolated carbon atoms. These four electrons allow carbon to form four covalent bonds, which can mean four single bonds or some combination of single, double, and triple bonds.


Q: How many valence electrons can be found in a carbon atom?


A:
four