Chemical Bonding, Carbon Style Chapter 4 Section 1

The Carbon Atom and Its Bonds F The atomic number of carbon is 6. F This means that the nucleus of a carbon atom contains 6 protons. F Surrounding the nucleus are 6 electrons. Of these electrons 4 are valence electrons. F Few elements have the ability of carbon to bond with both itself and other elements in so many different ways. F The atomic number of carbon is 6. F This means that the nucleus of a carbon atom contains 6 protons. F Surrounding the nucleus are 6 electrons. Of these electrons 4 are valence electrons. F Few elements have the ability of carbon to bond with both itself and other elements in so many different ways.

Carbon atoms form bonds F Carbon atoms form more bonds than most other atoms. F With four valence electrons, each carbon atom is able to form four bonds. F In comparison, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen can form only one, two, or three bonds. F With four bonds to each carbon atom, it is possible to form substances with many carbon atoms, even thousands of them. F Carbon atoms form more bonds than most other atoms. F With four valence electrons, each carbon atom is able to form four bonds. F In comparison, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen can form only one, two, or three bonds. F With four bonds to each carbon atom, it is possible to form substances with many carbon atoms, even thousands of them.

Arrangement of Carbon Atoms F It is possible to arrange the same number of carbon atoms in different ways. F Carbon atoms can form straight chains, branched chains, and rings. F Sometimes even networks of two or more rings of carbon atoms are joined together. F Look on page Figure 3 F It is possible to arrange the same number of carbon atoms in different ways. F Carbon atoms can form straight chains, branched chains, and rings. F Sometimes even networks of two or more rings of carbon atoms are joined together. F Look on page Figure 3

Forms of Pure Carbon F Because of the ways that carbon forms bonds, the pure element can exist in different forms. F Diamond, graphite, and fullerene are three different forms of the element carbon. F Because of the ways that carbon forms bonds, the pure element can exist in different forms. F Diamond, graphite, and fullerene are three different forms of the element carbon.

Diamond F Diamond is the hardest mineral and is formed deep within the Earth. F At very high temperatures and pressures, carbon atoms form diamond crystals. F Each carbon atom is bonded strongly to four other carbon atoms. F The result is a solid that is extremely hard and unreactive. F The melting point of diamond is over 3500 degrees Celsius. F The surface of some stars are as hot as 3500 degrees Celsius. F Diamond is the hardest mineral and is formed deep within the Earth. F At very high temperatures and pressures, carbon atoms form diamond crystals. F Each carbon atom is bonded strongly to four other carbon atoms. F The result is a solid that is extremely hard and unreactive. F The melting point of diamond is over 3500 degrees Celsius. F The surface of some stars are as hot as 3500 degrees Celsius.

Graphite F The lead in a lead pencil is actually graphite, another form of carbon. F In graphite, each carbon atom is bonded tightly to three other carbon atoms in flat layers. F However, the bonds between atoms in different layers are very weak, so the layers slide past one another easily. F If you run your fingers over pencil marks, you can feel how slippery graphite is. F Because of this, graphite is used as a lubricant in machines. F The lead in a lead pencil is actually graphite, another form of carbon. F In graphite, each carbon atom is bonded tightly to three other carbon atoms in flat layers. F However, the bonds between atoms in different layers are very weak, so the layers slide past one another easily. F If you run your fingers over pencil marks, you can feel how slippery graphite is. F Because of this, graphite is used as a lubricant in machines.

Fullerenes F In 1985, scientists at Rice University in Texas made a third form of the element carbon, a form that no one had identified before. F The new form of carbon consists of carbon atoms arranged in repeating patterns like the one shown in figure 6 on page 115. F Fullerene is named after the architect Buckminster Fuller who designed dome shaped buildings, called geodesic domes which some fullerenes resemble. F Scientists are looking for uses of fullerenes because of their ball-shaped appearance. F Someday, fullerenes may be used to carry medicines through the body. F In 1985, scientists at Rice University in Texas made a third form of the element carbon, a form that no one had identified before. F The new form of carbon consists of carbon atoms arranged in repeating patterns like the one shown in figure 6 on page 115. F Fullerene is named after the architect Buckminster Fuller who designed dome shaped buildings, called geodesic domes which some fullerenes resemble. F Scientists are looking for uses of fullerenes because of their ball-shaped appearance. F Someday, fullerenes may be used to carry medicines through the body.