![]() It forms in conditions when there is not enough oxygen to form carbon dioxide (CO 2). Although it only makes up a small percentage of the atmosphere it plays an important role, including being used by plants during photosynthesis.Ĭarbon monoxide (CO) is very toxic to both humans and animals. ![]() It is of vital importance to life on Earth, allowing carbon to be continually reused and recycled.Ĭarbon is found in the Earth’s atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide (CO 2). The carbon cycle is the process in which carbon is exchanged between all parts of Earth and its living organisms. The term carbon footprint refers to the amount of greenhouse gas emissions caused by a country, organization or individual person. The simplest hydrocarbon compound is methane (CH 4).Ĭarbon was discovered by early human civilizations in the form charcoal and soot. Organic chemistry involves the study of hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons are organic compounds made entirely of molecules featuring just hydrogen and carbon. It is the 15th most common element in the Earth’s crust while it is the second most common element in the human body (behind oxygen).Ĭarbon has the highest melting point of all elements, around 3500 ☌ (3773 K, 6332 ☏). The carbon atoms in graphite are bonded in flat hexagonal lattices and layered in sheets.Ĭarbon is the 4th most common element in the Universe (after hydrogen, helium and oxygen). It is also a very good conductor or electricity. Graphite is used for its thermal insulation (lower rate of heat transfer) properties. ![]() The properties of diamond and graphite are very different with diamond being transparent and very hard while graphite is black and soft (soft enough to write on paper). There are several allotropes (different forms) of carbon with the three most well known being amorphous carbon (coal, soot etc), diamond and graphite. ![]() While carbon forms many different compounds it is a relatively unreactive element. Because of its willingness to bond to other nonmetallic elements it is often referred to as the building block of life. The word carbon comes from the Latin word carbo, meaning coal.Ĭarbon forms a large number of compounds, more than any other element. Carbon is a chemical element with the symbol C and atomic number 6. ![]()
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