CARBON AND ITS COMPOUNDS

CARBON

Carbon belongs to the group IV of the periodic table. It has four electrons in its outermost orbit, so its valency is four. Carbon is a non-metal.

Compounds of Carbon are Widely Distributed in Nature

The number of carbon compounds is larger than that of all other elements put together.

Why so many Carbon Compounds in nature?

Because carbon is chemically unique. Only carbon atoms have the ability to combine with themselves to form long chains

Carbon- Long Chains

A long chain, in turn, provides a convenient backbone of atoms to which other atoms can attach themselves in a variety of ways

Allotropes of Carbon

In nature, pure carbon occur in two formsDiamond Graphite

What are Allotropes ?

Allotropes are elements which are chemically identical, but they differ markedly in their physical properties.
Diamond and Graphite two allotropes of carbon differ in their physical properties.

Physical Properties of Diamond and Graphite

Property
Appearance Hardness Thermal Conductivity Electrical Conductivity Density(kg/m3) Uses

Diamond
Transparent Very Hard Very poor Poor 3510 Jewellery, drilling

Graphite
Black, Shiny Soft, slippery to touch moderate Good conductor 2250 Dry cell, electric arc, lubricant, pencil lead

How Diamond and Graphite are chemically identical?

These results of thes experiments answer this question:

On heating diamond or graphite in the air, they burn completely to form carbon dioxide. Equal quantities of diamond and graphite when burned, produce exactly the same amount of carbon dioxide.

Why the physical properties of diamond and graphite are so different?

Due to the difference in the arrangement of carbon atoms in diamond and graphite

Hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbons are compounds of carbon and hydrogen.

The natural source of

hydrocarbons is petroleum (crude oil)

The Simplest Hydrocarbon

Methane CH4
A molecule of methane has four hydrogen atoms linked to one central atom of carbon.

S a t u r a t e d

H y d r o c a r b o n s

A l k a n e s

Alkanes

The hydrocarbons methane, ethane propane and butane form a series of carbon compounds known as alkanes
The alkane series can be represented by the general formula

Isomerism

Compounds having the same molecular formulae but different structural arrangement of atoms in them are known as isomers, and the phenomenon is known as isomerism
Isomers of Butane Obtained by rearranging the carbon and the hydrogen atoms

Unsaturated Hydrocarbons

Unsaturated hydrocarbons contain a double or triple bond between two carbon atoms. The one with double bond are called alkenes

Alkenes

Alkynes

Unsaturated hydrocarbons which contain triple bond between two carbon atoms.