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What are
the Properties of Carbon? Definition of Carbon
What is the definition of
Carbon? It is
a naturally abundant non-metallic
element that occurs in many inorganic and in all organic compounds, exists
freely as graphite and diamond.
One of the hardest substances known to man (diamonds). The
Physical and
Chemical Properties are the
characteristics of a substance, like Carbon, which distinguishes it from any
other substance. Most common substances, like Carbon, exist as
States of Matter as solids, liquids, gases and plasma. Refer to the article on
Carbon for additional information and facts about this substance.
Carbon Properties
- What are the Physical Properties of Carbon?
What are the Physical
Properties of Carbon? The Physical properties of Carbon are the characteristics
that can be observed without changing the substance into another
substance. Physical properties are usually those that can be observed using our
senses such as color, luster, freezing point, boiling point, melting point, density, hardness and odor. The Physical Properties of Carbon are as follows:
|
What are the Physical Properties of Carbon? |
|
*Allotropic |
Two
allotropes of carbon have different crystalline structures: diamond
and graphite
The physical properties of carbon vary widely with the allotropic
form. |
|
Forms of Carbon |
Graphite,
diamonds and coal are all nearly pure forms of carbon |
| Color |
Diamond is highly transparent. Graphite is opaque and black |
|
Hardness |
Diamond is one of
the hardest substances known to man. Graphite is soft and often used
as the "lead" in lead pencils |
|
Conductivity |
Diamond has a very low electrical conductivity. Graphite is a very
good conductor |
|
Brittleness |
Very
brittle, and cannot be rolled into wires or pounded into sheets |
|
Phase |
Solid |
*Allotropic - Allotropes are
forms of an element with different physical and chemical properties
occurring in two or more crystalline forms in the same physical state.
Carbon Properties - What are the Chemical Properties of Carbon?
What are the Chemical
Properties of Carbon? They are the characteristics that
determine how it will react with other substances or change from
one substance to another. The better we know the nature of the substance the
better we are able to understand it. Chemical properties are only observable during a
chemical reaction. Reactions to substances may be brought
about by changes brought about by burning, rusting, heating, exploding, tarnishing
etc. The Chemical
Properties of Carbon are as follows:
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What are the Chemical Properties of Carbon? |
| Chemical
Formula |
C |
|
Oxidation |
Combines with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide (CO2 ) and
carbon monoxide (CO) |
|
Reactivity |
Carbon does not dissolve in, or react with, water or acids |
|
Chains of Atoms |
Carbon has the ability to make long strings, or chains, of atoms |
| Compounds |
Carbon forms more compounds
than all other elements combined; several million carbon compounds
are known |
|
Buckminsterfulleren - C60 |
Carbon also occurs in a newly discovered form known as fullerenes or
buckyballs. A fullerene is any molecule composed entirely of carbon.
Fullerenes are similar in structure to graphite |
Facts and
Info about Carbon Properties
This article
on Carbon properties provide facts and information about the
physical and chemical properties of Carbon which are useful as
homework help for chemistry students. Additional facts and
information regarding the Periodic Table and the elements may be
accessed via the Periodic Table Site Map. |
