Carbon is the sixth Element in our Periodic Table.

Its Symbol is C
Its electronic Configuration is
1s2 2s2 2p2
Its atomic number is 6 and atomic mass is 12;
12
6C
It is a Non-Metal.
Carbon word is taken from Carbo meaning Coal.
Carbon is only 0.02% in Earth Crust and 0.03% in
Atmosphere as CO2.
All Living things are made of Carbon Compounds
and known as organic compounds.
Our Food, fuel, cloths, plastic, leather, drugs and
dye etc are made of Carbon.

C is a special element as it alone can

have more compounds than rest of
elements, altogether. This is because of
the following to properties:
Tetra valency. and
Catenation

Carbon is tetravalent as last energy

level
(1s2 2s2 2p2) have 4 e- , and 4
more are needed to complete the octet.
Tetra-valency is the maximum valency
and because of this C can attach with 4
other atoms.
As 4e- can't be exchanged so C can
only share 4 e-, so it forms Covalent
bonds.

 It is the ability of any element to

combine with itself , like O2; H2, S8 etc.
C can form very long chain because
of which it can form many different
compounds.
C can attach with other C atom with
single bond, double bond as well as
triple bond, which again help in creating
various types of compounds.

 C occurs in both free state (Diamond, Graphite) as

well as combined state (CO2, coal, petroleum) in
nature.
Different physical states in which C occurs are
known as its Allotropes.
1) Diamond 2) Graphite 3) Buckminsterfullerene

DIAMOND

v/s

HARD
NUMBER OF CARBON
ATOMS JOINED TO EACH
CARBON ATOM 4
BAD CONDUCTOR OF
HEAT AND ELECTRICITY
TRANSPARENT

GRAPHITE
SOFT
NUMBER
OF
CARBON
ATOMS JOINED TO EACH
CARBON ATOM 3
GOOD
CONDUCTOR OF
HEAT AND ELECTRICITY.
GREYISH BLACK