Carbon's Birth

Carbon is the first element in Group 14 of the periodic table. The elements in this group are sometimes called the carbon family. Carbon has an atomic number of 6, an atomic mass of 12.01115, and a chemical symbol of C. There are 7 isotopes of carbon ranging from 9C to 16C. Only 12C and 13C are stable isotopes. Carbon is an element which occurs naturally in three distinct solid forms, diamond, graphite and amorphous.

Carbon has the interesting chemical property which is being able to bond with itself and a lot of other elements. For example when carbon is combined with oxygen it forms carbon dioxide which is important for plant growth. When combined with hydrogen, it forms hydrocarbons which are important to industry in the form of fossil fuels. Carbon's physical properties are as following: its state of matter is a solid and it is combustible as well as a light nonmetallic element. Carbon's boiling point is 4827C, 8721F. Its melting point is 3500C, 6422F. Carbon's appearance as graphite is black while as a diamond colorless.

Products containing carbon or manufactured with carbon are used by everyone each day. It can be found in mines such as a diamond mines. It does not need to be refined. Carbon is used for many things which include diamond rings and other diamond jewelry which has been ancient. That is not all diamond is good for, it is also used in polishing, cutting, and grinding equipment due to its hardness All plants and animals need carbon to survive. Graphite is used for pencils as well as it can be made into molds, paints, coatings, and stove polish. Graphite is a good conductor of electricity. Carbon monoxide can be put together with hydrogen to synthesize materials that are organic like alcohol. Plastic back in the day was made out of carbon. In today's society carbon has a bigger use, such as plastics that are lightweight and strong like those used for airplanes and spacecrafts parts. Carbon is also used for sports equipment, such as tennis rackets, golf clubs, and fishing poles. Other uses are steel, controls nuclear reactions, tire coolant, paint pigments, grinding materials, rubber, fuels, printing inks, and lubricants.

The name "carbon" came from the Latin word carbo which means "charcoal." Carbon is found in ores as well as minerals and in the air and water. Carbon has been known since the prehistoric times, but it is unknown who or when it was discovered exactly.

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