Carbon
💎 In Your World
Carbon is the king of elements and the basis of all known life. It exists in many forms (allotropes), from the soft, black graphite in your pencil to the hard, brilliant diamond in jewelry. It's the primary component of fossil fuels like coal and oil, and it forms the backbone of millions of organic compounds that make up our food, clothes, plastics, and medicines.
📖 The Discovery Story
Carbon has been known since antiquity in the forms of soot and charcoal. The name "carbon" comes from the Latin word carbo, meaning coal or charcoal. In 1772, Antoine Lavoisier demonstrated that diamond was a form of carbon by burning it and showing it produced only carbon dioxide. Its role as the fundamental element of organic chemistry was established in the 19th century.
📊 Properties at a Glance
| Phase at STP | Solid |
| Melting Point | ~3550 °C / 6422 °F (sublimes) |
| Boiling Point | ~4827 °C / 8721 °F (sublimes) |
| Electron Configuration | [He] 2s²2p² |
| Abundance in Earth's Crust | 0.02% |
⚠️ Safety & Handling
In its elemental forms like graphite and diamond, carbon is non-toxic. However, inhaling fine particles like soot or coal dust can be harmful to the lungs. Many carbon compounds can be toxic, with carbon monoxide (CO) being a well-known poisonous gas. Carbon dioxide (CO₂), while essential for life, is a major greenhouse gas contributing to climate change.