C
Carbon is the basis of all known life and forms more compounds than any other element.
Physical Properties
| Atomic Mass | 12.011 u |
| Density | 2.267 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 3823.0 K |
| Boiling Point | 4098.0 K |
| Appearance | Black (graphite), clear (diamond) |
| State at Room Temp | Solid |
Chemical Properties
| Electronegativity | 2.55 (Pauling) |
| 1st Ionization Energy | 1086.5 kJ/mol |
| Electron Affinity | 121.8 kJ/mol |
| Oxidation States | -4, -3, -2, -1, 0, +1, +2, +3, +4 |
Atomic Properties
| Electron Configuration | [He] 2s2 2p2 |
| Atomic Radius | 77.0 pm |
| Covalent Radius | 76.0 pm |
| Van der Waals Radius | 170.0 pm |
Discovery
| Discovered By | Known since antiquity |
| Location | Various |
| Named After | Latin 'carbo' meaning coal or charcoal |
About Carbon
Carbon is a nonmetal that can form four covalent bonds, giving it extraordinary versatility in chemistry. It exists in several allotropes including diamond, graphite, graphene, and fullerenes. Carbon is the fourth most abundant element in the universe by mass. The carbon cycle is fundamental to life on Earth.
Uses & Applications
Steel production, plastics, fuels, carbon fiber composites, diamonds for cutting tools, activated charcoal, and graphite for pencils.
Fun Fact
Carbon forms nearly 10 million known compounds -- more than all other elements combined.
Isotopes
| Mass Number | Abundance | Half-Life | Stable |
| 12 | 0.9893% | - | Yes |
| 13 | 0.0107% | - | Yes |
| 14 | - | 5730 years | No |
Electron Configuration
[He] 2s2 2p2