How many valence electrons are in carbon?

To determine the number of valence electrons in carbon, we first need to look at its atomic structure.

1. **Atomic Number**: Carbon has an atomic number of 6. This means it has 6 protons in its nucleus and, in a neutral atom, it also has 6 electrons.

2. **Electron Configuration**: The electron configuration of carbon is:
\[
1s^2 \, 2s^2 \, 2p^2
\]
- The first shell (1s) can hold a maximum of 2 electrons, which it does.
- The second shell consists of the 2s and 2p orbitals. The 2s subshell can hold 2 electrons, and the 2p subshell can hold up to 6 electrons. In carbon, the 2s subshell is filled with 2 electrons, and the 2p subshell has 2 electrons.

3. **Valence Electrons**: Valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell (highest energy level). For carbon, the outermost shell is the second shell, which contains:
- 2 electrons in the 2s subshell
- 2 electrons in the 2p subshell

Adding these together, carbon has a total of \(2 + 2 = 4\) valence electrons.

### Conclusion
Carbon has **4 valence electrons**. These electrons play a crucial role in carbon's ability to form bonds with other elements, which is essential for the chemistry of life.