Carbon And Its Compounds - Defnition , structures & simple explanation

  Carbon is an element with the atomic number 6 and the symbol C. It is a non-metal and the fourth most abundant element in the universe by mass. Carbon is known for its ability to form a variety of compounds, which are essential for life on Earth.

Two or more elements combine to form compound. There are two types of compounds - Organic Compound and Inorganic Compound. Organic compounds are the one which are made up of carbon and hydrogen.

Covalent Bond

The bond formed by sharing a pair of electrons between two atoms are known as Covalent Bond. Carbon forms covalent bond. Carbon exists int two form-as free state and as combined state. Free form of carbon is found in graphite, diamond and fullerene. In combined state, carbon exists as Carbon Dioxide, Glucose, Sugar etc...

Diamond

Fig. Structure of diamond

Diamond exist as three-dimensional network with strong carbon - carbon covalent bonds. Maximum close packing can be seen in Diamond. Diamond is chemically pure carbon. Artificial diamond was first prepared by - Henry Moissan. Sugar charcoal is used to manufacture artificial diamonds. Diamond is the hardest substance in the Earth with high melting point. The most common use of diamond in making jewllery. It also used in cutting and drilling tools.

Graphite

Graphite is made from weak van der wall forces. Each carbon atom is bonded with other three carbon atoms in order to form hexagonal rings. It serves as good conductor of electricity. It is used as dry lubricant for machine parts as well as it is used in lead pencil.

Fig. Structure of graphite

Fullerene

It is hollow cage which exits in the form of sphere. Its structure is similar to fullerene. But along with the hexagonal rings, sometimes pentagonal or heptagonal rings are also present.

Fig. Structure of fullerene

Two Important Properties of Carbon

 

Catenation and tetravalency are the two Important properties of carbon. Catenation is a property of  carbon by which carbon atoms can link one another via covalent bond and can form long chains, closed ring or branched chains etc. Carbon atom can be linked by single, double, or triple bonds. Carbon has a valency of 4 due to which it is known to have tetravalency. Due to this one carbon atom can bond with other 4 carbon atoms, with other atoms also such as Oxygen, Nitrogen etc

Hydrocarbons

A hydrocarbon is a molecule composed of hydrogen and carbon atoms. Hydrocarbons are the primary constituents of fossil fuels, including coal, natural gas, and petroleum. They are also found in many other organic compounds, such as plastics, solvents, and lubricants.

compounds which are made up of carbon and hydrogen they are known as hydrocarbons. There are two types of hydrocarbons found - Saturated hydrocarbons and unsaturated hydrocarbons. Saturated hydrocarbon consists of single bond between the carbon atoms. For example alkanes. Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons represented by a formula, CnH2n+2.

Unsaturated hydrocarbons are the one with double or triple bonds between the carbon atoms. For example, alkenes and alkynes. Alkenes are represented as CnH2n. Whereas alkynes are represented as CnH2n-2.

 

Hydrocarbons can be classified into different categories based on their structure, such as alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, and aromatics. Alkanes, also known as saturated hydrocarbons, contain only single covalent bonds between carbon atoms. Alkenes and alkynes contain at least one double or triple bond, respectively, between carbon atoms. Aromatics contain a special type of ring structure known as an aromatic ring.

The properties of hydrocarbons depend on their structure and the number of carbon atoms they contain. For example, shorter-chain hydrocarbons are typically more volatile and have lower boiling points, while longer-chain hydrocarbons are less volatile and have higher boiling points.

Carbon compounds play a critical role in the Earth's atmosphere and climate, as well as in the production of many consumer goods and industrial products. However, they also contribute to air and water pollution and can have negative impacts on human and environmental health.