How many other atoms can each carbon atom share electrons with?

Each carbon atom can share electrons with four other atoms. This characteristic is primarily due to carbon's electron configuration. Carbon has four electrons in its outer shell (valence shell), which can hold a total of eight electrons, following the octet rule. To achieve a stable electron configuration, carbon can form four covalent bonds with other atoms by sharing its four valence electrons. This ability to form four bonds is responsible for the versatility of carbon in forming a vast array of organic molecules, including long chains and complex structures, which are fundamental to life.

In contrast, the other options do not reflect the correct bonding capacity of carbon as per its electron configuration and the principles of valence bonding in chemistry.