- Name: Carbon
- Symbol: C
- Atomic number: 6
- Atomic weight: 12.0107
- Standard state: Solid
- Group in the periodic table: 14
- Period in the periodic table: 2
- Block in the periodic table: p-block
- Color: In graphite form, carbon is black. In diamond form, it is colorless
- Classification: non-metallic
A new form, aside from the common graphite and diamond forms, of carbon called buckminsterfullerene or C60 was discovered. It is of high interest to scientists and is being researched in laboratories. Carbon is also present in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide and is also dissolved in all natural waters. It is bar of rocs as carbonates of calcium, magnesium and iron. Ninety-six percent of the atmosphere of Mars is carbon dioxide.
Hydrocarbons, another form of carbon bonds, are coal petroleum and natural gas. Carbon is unique among other elements because of the amount of bonds it is able to form with other elements. Organic chemistry is the study of carbon and its compounds. Silicon can take the place of carbon in forming many compounds, but it is not able to currently form stable compounds with long chains of silicon atoms.
http://www.webelements.com/carbon/
November 1, 2012, 1:07 pm