10 Cool Facts About Carbon

Diamond and graphite showed side by side, for illustrating carbon. Author; Robert. Wikimedia

10 Cool Facts About Carbon

One of the fundamental elements in the universe which plays a major role in the chemistry of life on earth is Carbon. Carbon, an atomic number 6 and represented by the symbol C is the 15^th most abundant element in the Earth’s crust. It is also the 4^th most abundant element in the globe by its mass after oxygen, hydrogen, and helium.

Carbon is non-metallic and tetravalent in nature which means its atom makes four electrons available that help in forming covalent chemical bonds. It exists in the 14^th group of the periodic table and makes approximately 0.025 percent of the Earth’s crust. Carbon consists of 3 naturally occurring isotopes that include 12C and 13C which are stable, and 14C which is a radionuclide.

Isotope 14C decays with a half-life of about 5,730 years. Carbon atoms can bond in a variety of ways, resulting in various allotropes. Graphite, diamond, amorphous carbon, and fullerenes are examples of well-known allotropes of carbon.

Carbon’s physical properties vary greatly depending on its allotropic form. Graphite, for example, is opaque and black, whereas diamond is highly transparent. Graphite can leave a streak on paper, whereas diamond is the hardest naturally occurring material known.

Below are the 10 Cool Facts About Carbon:

1. Carbon is the 4^th Most Abundant Element in the Universe

Black and white illustration of carbon pattern. Author; Engin. Pexels

There are several elements found in the universe. Among all the elements, Carbon is the fourth most abundant element in the universe. It is also the 15^th most common in the Earth’s crust.

Carbon is formed in the core of stars when two helium nuclei collide forming highly unstable beryllium. Beryllium fuses with another helium particle to form a stable carbon nucleus.

This stable Carbon nucleus is then ejected into space when massive stars explode as supernovae. This element then accumulates in the Earth’s atmosphere, where it combines with oxygen to form carbon dioxide or CO2. Carbon later dissolved in all of Earth’s water bodies and then becomes a component of large carbonate rocks such as limestone and marble, as well as coal.

2. It is the Carbon of all Organic Molecules

Cells are composed of numerous complex molecules. These complex molecules are known as macromolecules, which include proteins, nucleic acids (RNA and DNA), carbohydrates, and lipids.

Macromolecules are a subset of organic molecules (any carbon-containing liquid, solid, or gas) that are very crucial to live. Carbon is the basic building block for all of these macromolecules that are crucial for life. The carbon atom has unique properties that allow it to form covalent bonds with up to four different atoms, making it ideal for use as the fundamental structural component, or “backbone,” of macromolecules.

Read Top 10 Facts About the Earth’s Outer Core.

3. Carbon is Incredibly Strong and Durable due to its High Melting & Boiling Points

A large sample of glassy carbon with a weight of ca. 570 g, as well as a 1 cm3 graphite cube for comparison. Author; Alchemist. Wikimedia

Among all elements in the universe, carbon is the strongest of all. It is incredibly strong and durable because of its existing high melting and boiling points.

Carbon atoms are covalently bonded to the other carbon atoms. The energy required to break/separate the bond between the carbon atoms is a lot. Covalent bonds are usually stronger making carbon have the highest melting and boiling points.

4. It has Several Different Forms including Graphite, Diamond, and Fullerenes

A piece of diamond. Author; Rostislav. Pexels

Carbon is an allotropic meaning it takes different forms. It can exist in crystalline, amorphous, or other forms. The different forms of carbon include Graphite, Diamond, and Fullerenes.

Graphite, Diamond, and Fullerenes usually exist in crystalline or crystal-forming rather than molecules. They bond together in a repeated pattern which may contain thousands of atoms. However, their arrangements differ from one another.

5. Carbon can be found in the Earth’s Atmosphere as Carbon Dioxide

Carbon is also found in the atmosphere of the earth in the form of carbon dioxide. The primary sources of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are natural and human activities.

Most animals, which exhale carbon dioxide as a waste product, are natural sources of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide emissions are primarily caused by human activities such as the combustion of coal, oil, or natural gas which have a composition of carbon.

Also, read 15 Alarming Facts about Pollution.

6. Carbon Occurs Naturally in Three Isotopes

The Bohr model of a Carbon atom – 6 protons, 6 neutrons, and 6 electrons. It has 4 valence electrons. Author; SrKellyOP. Wikimedia

Another interesting fact about carbon is that it occurs naturally in three isotopes. Carbon occurs as carbon 12 (with 6 neutrons, plus 6 protons for a total of twelve neutrons), carbon 13 (with 7 neutrons), and carbon 14 (has 8 neutrons).

Any addition of a neutron to the isotopes of carbon can change its properties. Carbon-12 and Carbon-13 are stable meaning they don’t decay. Carbon-14 is unstable and decays radioactively and has a half-life of approximately 5,730 years.

7. An Isotope of Carbon is Used to Determine the Age

Radiocarbon dating is the major way of determining the age of an animal or human. Since animals and humans ingest carbon from plants, it is easier to use the isotope Carbon-14 to determine their ages.

Because carbon-14 easily decays, it is easier to use it in dating. Scientists use the theory that the less radioactivity a carbon-14 emits, means that the object is older. After animals and humans start decaying, absorption of carbon-14 ends which helps in the dating process.

8. Carbon is Vital in Plants’ Growth and Development

Leaves of a plant. Author; Sohail. Pexels

In plants, carbon is very important for their growth and development. Through photosynthesis, plants take up carbon from the atmosphere and use it for their product.

The carbon is used to build leaves and stems. Carbon can also be stored in plants and later emitted after it is consumed by animals and humans or emitted into the atmosphere.

Read 60 Facts about Plants.

9. Carbon is Critical in Medical Applications and Treatment

This element has played a major role in medical applications with its importance being life-saving. Carbon is converted into activated charcoal which is used in the management of various types of poisonings.

Activated charcoal is usually indicated for the treatment of moderately severe to life-threatening intoxication. Detoxification using activated charcoal should be performed as soon as possible, ideally within the first hour of ingestion; timed-release preparations can be administered up to 6 hours after ingestion.

10. The Element is used in Industries in Several Important Ways

Two plastic containers. Author; Ibrahim. Pexels

Carbon has been used over the years in industries to manufacture several important materials. It is usually combined with oxygen to form carbon dioxide which is an alternative to fossil fuels in the production of chemicals.

Carbon dioxide can be used in making plastics, fibers, and synthetic rubber which are widely used in the daily life of humans. It can also be converted to methanol and methane which are important elements.

There are several other importance of carbon that are appreciated throughout the universe. However, when not utilized properly, carbon can be a dangerous element that can cause a catastrophe.