Carbon belongs togroup 4 of the periodic table.

It has 4 valence electrons with an electron

configuration of 2,4.

Carbon exists in three forms or allotropes. Allotropes use forms of the same element(in the same
physical state) which have distinctly different physical properties (colour, density, hardness and
electrical conductivity).

Allotropes Description use

diamond Consists of carbon atoms - Jewellery
each covalently bonded to 4 - Drills
other carbon atoms. The
shape around each carbon
atom is tetrahedral . it is a
covalent network lattice. It is
hard with a high melting
point and boiling point
Graphite Covalent lattice. Each carbon - Graphite pencils
atom bonded to three other - electrodes in batteries
carbon atoms flat six - grease for cars and
membered rings in layers bikes.
dispersion forces between the
layers.

Each carbon atom has a free

valence electrons which is
delocalised which makes it a
conductor of electricity.
Soft, high melting point.
buckyballs C subset 60 in a soccer ball - no practical uses
shape -

- Catenations ability of element to bond with itself

- Most compounds are hydrocarbons
- C+H only
- Non-polar compounds.
- Chains
- Branched chains
- Rings
- Carbon can from single, double, triple and all have covalent bonds with itself
- Bonds with other elements such as oxygen. Hydrogen and occasionally sulfur.

1) outline why there are so many carbon compound.

Carbon has unique ability, as it has the ability to bond with itself a process called catenations. As
well, carbon is present as hydrocarbons. Carbon has the ability to form chains, rings and
branched chains, as well as forming a variety of bonds, i.e single, double and triple bounds which
are covalently bonded together.

Because carbon can be used for

- Fuels
- Alkanols (alcohols)- solvents
- Plastics, all polymers are derivatives of hydrocarbons
- Synthetic fibres e.g nylon and polyesters
- Building blocks of living things are hydrocarbon based e.g proteins, fats