Carbon: Difference between revisions
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Carbon is an organic element which is prevalent in nature and living organisms | Carbon is an organic [[Element|element]] which is prevalent in nature and living organisms, with an [[Atomic weight|atomic weight]] of 12 and an [[Atomic number|atomic number]] of 6. | ||
Both [[ | The melting point of carbon is 3652<sup>o</sup>C and its boiling point is 4827<sup>o</sup>C. Carbon is the only element that forms strong single [[Covalent bond|covalent bonds]] with itself and is therefore, an intricate constituent of the biosphere<ref>http://www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/c.htm</ref><ref>http://education.jlab.org/itselemental/ele006.html</ref><ref>http://www.shvoong.com/exact-sciences/chemistry/2069981-overview-element-carbon/</ref>. | ||
Carbon exists naturally as two [[Allotrope|allotropes]] namely graphite and [[Diamond|diamond]]. Both [[Graphite|graphite]] and [[Diamond|diamond]] consist of carbon atoms alone but have different structures and bonding which define their physical properties. In [[Diamond|diamond]], each [[Atom|atom]] is bonded to four other atoms, forming a rigid lattice. In graphite, however, each atom is only bonded to three others, causing it to form sheets that can slide over each other. | |||
=== References === | === References === | ||
<references / | <references /> | ||
Latest revision as of 09:36, 10 December 2018
Carbon is an organic element which is prevalent in nature and living organisms, with an atomic weight of 12 and an atomic number of 6.
The melting point of carbon is 3652oC and its boiling point is 4827oC. Carbon is the only element that forms strong single covalent bonds with itself and is therefore, an intricate constituent of the biosphere[1][2][3].
Carbon exists naturally as two allotropes namely graphite and diamond. Both graphite and diamond consist of carbon atoms alone but have different structures and bonding which define their physical properties. In diamond, each atom is bonded to four other atoms, forming a rigid lattice. In graphite, however, each atom is only bonded to three others, causing it to form sheets that can slide over each other.