Elements, the matter that matters, that makes up the Earth we live on. Each one with their own unique and magnificent qualities and properties. Some are seen in every-day life, where others are rare to find. Some can be essential for life, while some not so essential, but still important. Looking at the periodic table, there are probably quite a few that you know, where others may be brand new to you. One of the common elements is Carbon (C). Carbon is essential for life and other important areas of the world. Carbon is a non-metal, that is in a solid state at room temperature.
There are many different unique properties that help Carbon do what it needs to do. Carbon is the sixth most abundant element on Earth, and used in the daily lives as oil or coal. The origin of the name is Latin, coming from the word Carbo. Carbon was date discovered is not known specifically but has been known since ancient times. …show more content…
Carbon-12 is stable and makes up 99% of all Carbon on Earth, therefore it is the most abundant isotope. Carbon-13 is also stable and the heaviest of the three isotopes. The last and final isotope is Carbon-14 radioactive, known as unstable with a half life. During the first half it is blue but over time in turns into Nitrogen-14. It also is used for Carbon dating. Carbon's atomic number is six, therefore It has six protons, neutrons, and electrons, with a atomic mass of twelve. Carbon is nonmetallic and tetravalent, meaning it has four valence electrons. It is seen in many forms of allotropes like graphite, diamond, and white carbon. Graphite is one of the softest materials known to man and used as a lubricant (oil). Graphite is also used in pencils. Diamond is the third most common naturally occurring allotrope of Carbon. It is one of the hardest substances known to man and it is often used for jewelry, like rings, bracelets, and necklaces. White Carbon was created in 1969 and it is used as a birefringence. This specific form of
There are many different unique properties that help Carbon do what it needs to do. Carbon is the sixth most abundant element on Earth, and used in the daily lives as oil or coal. The origin of the name is Latin, coming from the word Carbo. Carbon was date discovered is not known specifically but has been known since ancient times. …show more content…
Carbon-12 is stable and makes up 99% of all Carbon on Earth, therefore it is the most abundant isotope. Carbon-13 is also stable and the heaviest of the three isotopes. The last and final isotope is Carbon-14 radioactive, known as unstable with a half life. During the first half it is blue but over time in turns into Nitrogen-14. It also is used for Carbon dating. Carbon's atomic number is six, therefore It has six protons, neutrons, and electrons, with a atomic mass of twelve. Carbon is nonmetallic and tetravalent, meaning it has four valence electrons. It is seen in many forms of allotropes like graphite, diamond, and white carbon. Graphite is one of the softest materials known to man and used as a lubricant (oil). Graphite is also used in pencils. Diamond is the third most common naturally occurring allotrope of Carbon. It is one of the hardest substances known to man and it is often used for jewelry, like rings, bracelets, and necklaces. White Carbon was created in 1969 and it is used as a birefringence. This specific form of