6 CARBON - C
Carbon is a chemical element with the symbol C and atomic number 6. It is a non-metal and a member of group 14 of the periodic table. Carbon is a unique element in that it is essential for life on Earth and has the ability to form incredibly complex molecules due to its ability to form up to four covalent bonds. Carbon is found in all living organisms and is the basis for many important compounds, including carbohydrates, proteins, and DNA
Physical Properties:, Carbon exists in several forms including diamond, graphite, and fullerene.
Diamond is a colorless, transparent crystal that is the hardest naturally occurring substance known.
Graphite is a soft, black, flaky substance that is used in pencils and as a lubricant.
Carbon has a relatively high melting point and boiling point.
Chemical Properties: Carbon is a versatile element that forms covalent bonds with other non-metals and with itself. It can form a wide range of compounds, including organic compounds that are essential to life. Carbon has a moderate electronegativity, which means it can form polar and nonpolar covalent bonds and can also form double and triple bonds with other elements. Carbon couples with 6 electrons but it can create bonds resulting in a wide number of ions (-4, -3, -2, -1, +1, +2, +3, +4).
Atomic Properties: Carbon has an atomic mass of 12.011 u. It has 6 protons and 6 electrons in its neutral state with two stable isotopes: 12C and 13C.
Occurrence: Carbon is the fourth most abundant element in the universe by mass. It is an essential element for life, as it is a key component of organic molecules such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Carbon is also found in many minerals, such as limestone, graphite
Carbon is the fourth most abundant element in the universe, and it is the second most abundant element in the human body (after oxygen).
Carbon has the ability to form up to four covalent bonds, which allows it to form incredibly complex molecules. This ability to form multiple bonds makes it the basis for the vast majority of organic compounds, including carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.
The study of carbon-based compounds and their reactions is known as organic chemistry, which is a fundamental area of chemistry with many practical applications in fields such as medicine, materials science, and agriculture.
Carbon exists in several allotropes, or different forms with different physical and chemical properties. The most well-known allotropes of carbon include diamond, graphite, and fullerenes (including buckminsterfullerene or "buckyballs").
Carbon has a number of important applications outside of organic chemistry. For example, carbon is used as a key component in steel production and in the production of many types of carbon fibers, which are lightweight and incredibly strong.
Carbon is also an important component of the Earth's carbon cycle, which involves the exchange of carbon between the atmosphere, oceans, and living organisms. Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, have disrupted the carbon cycle and are contributing to global climate change.
Covalent bonding: Carbon forms covalent bonds by sharing electrons with other atoms, which allows it to form stable molecules. Carbon has the ability to form up to four covalent bonds, which enables it to form a wide variety of complex molecules.
Organic compounds: Most of the chemistry of carbon involves organic compounds, which are compounds that contain carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds. Organic compounds can be found in a wide variety of substances, including food, clothing, fuels, and pharmaceuticals.
Isomerism: Carbon compounds can exist in different structural arrangements, known as isomers. Isomers have the same molecular formula but different structures and properties.
Polymerization: Carbon compounds can undergo polymerization, which involves the formation of long chains of repeating units. Polymerization is the basis for the production of many important materials, including plastics, synthetic fibers, and rubbers.
Carbon-carbon bonds: Carbon-carbon bonds are one of the most important types of bonds in organic chemistry. They can be formed in a variety of ways, including through oxidative coupling, Friedel-Crafts reactions, and the use of organometallic compounds.
Carbon in the environment: Carbon is an essential component of the Earth's carbon cycle, which involves the exchange of carbon between the atmosphere, oceans, and living organisms. Carbon is also a key component of fossil fuels, which are formed from the remains of ancient organisms.
Versatile bonding: Carbon has the ability to form up to four covalent bonds with other atoms, which makes it an incredibly versatile element. This property allows carbon to form a wide variety of compounds with diverse chemical and physical properties.
High melting and boiling point: Carbon has a relatively high melting point of 3,550°C and a boiling point of 4,827°C, which makes it useful for high-temperature applications, such as in the production of steel.
Allotropy: Carbon exists in several allotropes, which are different forms with different physical and chemical properties. Diamond, for example, is one of the hardest materials known, while graphite is a good conductor of electricity and has a slippery feel.
Non-metallic: Carbon is a non-metallic element, which means that it does not conduct electricity well. However, some carbon-based materials, such as graphite and carbon fiber, have excellent electrical conductivity.
Organic chemistry: Carbon is the basis for organic chemistry, which is the study of compounds that contain carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds. Organic compounds are essential for life and are found in many substances, including food, clothing, and pharmaceuticals.
Environmental significance: Carbon is a key component of the Earth's carbon cycle, which involves the exchange of carbon between the atmosphere, oceans, and living organisms. Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, are contributing to global climate change by disrupting the carbon cycle.