Carbon
Definition and meaning of Carbon in chemistry.
![Carbon element card: symbol C, atomic number 6, atomic mass 12.011, electron configuration [He] 2s² 2p², oxidation states +4 -4, Nonmetal, group 14, period 2, liquid at room temperature.](/assets/images/terms/carbon-chemical-element.webp)
Carbon is a nonmetallic chemical element with the symbol C and atomic number 6. It is tetravalent, meaning it makes four electrons available to form covalent bonds.
In more detail
Carbon is the 15th most abundant element in the Earth's crust. It is the fourth most abundant element in the universe by mass. Carbon forms stable covalent bonds with itself and many other elements.
This unique ability allows it to form millions of different chemical compounds. These diverse carbon compounds form the essential basis of all known life. Carbon exists in several different physical forms called allotropes.
An allotrope is a different structural arrangement of the same exact element. The most common carbon allotropes are graphite, diamond, and amorphous carbon. In graphite, carbon atoms arrange in flat hexagonal networks.
This flat structure makes graphite soft and electrically conductive. In diamond, each carbon atom bonds tightly to four other atoms. They form a tetrahedron shape, resulting in extreme physical hardness.
Carbon has an exceptional capacity for a chemical process called catenation. Catenation is the bonding of atoms of the same element into chains. Carbon forms long chains and complex rings very easily.
These chains act as the structural backbone for large organic molecules. Proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates all rely entirely on this carbon backbone. Carbon moves through our environment via the global carbon cycle.
It exists in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide gas. It lives in the biosphere as organic plant and animal matter. It rests deep in the lithosphere as buried fossil fuels.
Scientists use carbon to determine the age of old organic materials. They measure the steady decay of the radioactive carbon-14 isotope.
Key facts
| Field | General Chemistry |
|---|---|
| Symbol | C |
| Atomic number | 6 |
| Atomic mass | 12.011 u |
| Category | Nonmetal |
| Formula | C |
| Molar mass | 12.011 g/mol |
| Allotropes | Graphite, diamond, fullerenes |
| Sublimation point | 3642 °C |
Graphene is an amazing single layer of pure carbon atoms. The atoms arrange themselves in a two-dimensional honeycomb lattice. This unique flat structure makes graphene extremely strong and durable. It also exhibits exceptional electrical conductivity for advanced technology applications.
Frequently asked questions
Why is carbon considered the basis of life?
Carbon forms four stable covalent bonds with other atoms. It bonds easily with other carbon atoms to create complex, diverse molecules. Biological processes require these stable organic molecules to function.
What are carbon allotropes?
Allotropes are different structural forms of the same element. Diamond, graphite, and fullerenes are all carbon allotropes. They have vastly different physical properties because their internal atomic arrangements differ.
Related terms
Sources & references
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