Difference between revisions of "Carbon"
Darth Servo (talk | contribs) (New page: '''Carbon''' is the sixth element on the periodic table, having six protons in its nucleus. The most common number of neutrons in its nucleus is also six and the Carbon-12 [[i...) |
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'''Carbon''' is the sixth element on the [[periodic table]], having six [[ | '''Carbon''' is the sixth element on the [[periodic table]], having six [[proton]]s in its nucleus. The most common number of [[neutron]]s in its nucleus is also six and the Carbon-12 [[isotope]] is the basis for atomic weights, with the mass of the proton being defined as 1/12 of the mass of the Carbon nucleus. | ||
The next most common isotopoe is Carbon-14 with 8 neutrons in the nucleus. C-14 is the isotope famous for its use in carbon radiometric dating techniques. | The next most common isotopoe is Carbon-14 with 8 neutrons in the nucleus. C-14 is the isotope famous for its use in carbon radiometric dating techniques. | ||
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Carbon has two elemental forms, the more common of which is black graphite. Less common but probably far more well known is the diamond. | Carbon has two elemental forms, the more common of which is black graphite. Less common but probably far more well known is the diamond. | ||
Carbon can form up to four covalent bonds with other elements. This property makes it highly suited for building long chains of atoms together. It is these chains that form the building blocks of life, primarily | Carbon can form up to four covalent bonds with other elements. This property makes it highly suited for building long chains of atoms together. It is these chains that form the building blocks of life, primarily carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, [[DNA|nucleic acids]] and so forth. | ||
Atomic mass: 12.0107 g/mol | Atomic mass: 12.0107 g/mol | ||
Revision as of 01:14, 25 February 2008
Carbon is the sixth element on the periodic table, having six protons in its nucleus. The most common number of neutrons in its nucleus is also six and the Carbon-12 isotope is the basis for atomic weights, with the mass of the proton being defined as 1/12 of the mass of the Carbon nucleus.
The next most common isotopoe is Carbon-14 with 8 neutrons in the nucleus. C-14 is the isotope famous for its use in carbon radiometric dating techniques.
Carbon has two elemental forms, the more common of which is black graphite. Less common but probably far more well known is the diamond.
Carbon can form up to four covalent bonds with other elements. This property makes it highly suited for building long chains of atoms together. It is these chains that form the building blocks of life, primarily carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids and so forth.
Atomic mass: 12.0107 g/mol
Chemical symbol: C