Hello there, everybody! It's been a little while since I've done one of these posts, so I thought it might be nice! Today: an element almost everyone knows about.
If you are confused by any of these terms, go to the glossary!
Facts about carbon
Symbol: C
Electron configuration: [He] 2s22p2
Atomic number: 6
Key isotopes: 12C, 13C, 14C
Relative atomic mass: 12.011
Sublimation point: 3,825 °C
Electronegativity: 2.55
1st ionisation energy: 1086.454 kJ mol-1
Carbon. It's an element that pretty much everyone knows about. And for good reason, too! Carbon is the building block of all life. Carbon is incorporated into amino acids, which are incorporated into proteins, which are incorporated into the body's organs.
But that's not the only use of carbon! There are three main forms of pure carbon: daimond, graphite and fullerenes. There's also graphene, which is a one-atom-thick sheet of graphite.
Diamond is the hardest substance known to us. It's used in many industrial applications, like cutting and drilling. Oh, and it's also valued as an expensive gemstone!
Graphite is fairly soft. It's used in pencils, for example. The lead of standard pencils is made of graphite, which is soft enough to leave a mark when pressed against paper (which itself contains an extremely large amount of carbon.)
Fullerenes don't really have many uses. C60 is one of the better known fullerenes - it can be distinguished from amorphous graphite in two ways: the molecule is shaped like a football (oddly enough) and it can be dissolved in some organic solvents, whereas graphite cannot.
Carbon also plays an important role in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a powerful greenhouse gas that is also important in allowing plants to photosynthesise sugar.
Carbon can be found everywhere on Earth. Graphite is incredibly common (which is why it can be used for cheap pencils), but diamond is the opposite end. The reason for diamond's rarity is that to make diamond naturally, graphite must first find its way deep underground where both the temperature and pressure are extremely high - and then it has to stay there for hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of years.
Carbon can also be found as natural gas (methane, ethane, propane, etc.), crude oil (long-chain hydrocarbons) and carbonates (like chalk and limestone.)
Electron configuration: [He] 2s22p2
Atomic number: 6
Key isotopes: 12C, 13C, 14C
Relative atomic mass: 12.011
Sublimation point: 3,825 °C
Electronegativity: 2.55
1st ionisation energy: 1086.454 kJ mol-1
Carbon. It's an element that pretty much everyone knows about. And for good reason, too! Carbon is the building block of all life. Carbon is incorporated into amino acids, which are incorporated into proteins, which are incorporated into the body's organs.
But that's not the only use of carbon! There are three main forms of pure carbon: daimond, graphite and fullerenes. There's also graphene, which is a one-atom-thick sheet of graphite.
Diamond is the hardest substance known to us. It's used in many industrial applications, like cutting and drilling. Oh, and it's also valued as an expensive gemstone!
Graphite is fairly soft. It's used in pencils, for example. The lead of standard pencils is made of graphite, which is soft enough to leave a mark when pressed against paper (which itself contains an extremely large amount of carbon.)
Fullerenes don't really have many uses. C60 is one of the better known fullerenes - it can be distinguished from amorphous graphite in two ways: the molecule is shaped like a football (oddly enough) and it can be dissolved in some organic solvents, whereas graphite cannot.
Carbon also plays an important role in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a powerful greenhouse gas that is also important in allowing plants to photosynthesise sugar.
Carbon can be found everywhere on Earth. Graphite is incredibly common (which is why it can be used for cheap pencils), but diamond is the opposite end. The reason for diamond's rarity is that to make diamond naturally, graphite must first find its way deep underground where both the temperature and pressure are extremely high - and then it has to stay there for hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of years.
Carbon can also be found as natural gas (methane, ethane, propane, etc.), crude oil (long-chain hydrocarbons) and carbonates (like chalk and limestone.)
There's something that I never actually mentioned on this blog. About three months ago, two staff members - Mel and Rowena - were made redundant. Well, today, I can tell you that Mel is now coming back! So I've prepared this...
So that's put me in a good mood - I'm really looking forward to seeing her again! Anyways, I shall see everyone again next week! Bye for now!