Carbon
| Atomic Number: | 6 |
| Symbol: | C |
| Atomic weight: | 12.011 |
| Discovery: | Carbon exists free in nature and has been known since prehistoric time. |
| Electron Configuration: | [He]2s22p2 |
| Word Origin: | Latin carbo, German Kohlenstoff, French carbone: coal or charcoal |
| Isotopes: | There are seven natural isotopes of carbon. In 1961 the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry adopted the isotope carbon-12 as the basis for atomic weights. |
| Properties: | Carbon is found free in nature in three allotropic forms: amorphous (lampblack, boneblack), graphite, and diamond. A fourth form, 'white' carbon, is thought to exist. Diamond is one of the hardest substances, with a high melting point and index of refraction. |
| Uses: | Carbon forms numerous and varied compounds with limitless applications. Many thousands of carbon compounds are integral to life processes. Diamond is prized as a gemstone and is used for cutting, drilling, and as bearings. Graphite is used as a crucible for melting metals, in pencils, for rust protection, for lubrication, and as a moderator for slowing neutrons for atomic fission. Amorphous carbon is used for removing tastes and odors. |
Document Actions
Like us on Facebook