Why is carbon such a unique element?

Answer 1

Principally the chemistry of life is the chemistry of carbon.

Read more: Purpose_of_carbon_for_living_creatures

Read more: Purpose_of_carbon_for_living_creatures

Read more: Purpose_of_carbon_for_living_creatures

Read more: Purpose_of_carbon_for_living_creatures

Principally, the chemistry of life is the chemistry of carbon.

Read more: Purpose_of_carbon_for_living_creatures

Principally, the chemistry of life is the chemistry of carbon.

Read more: Purpose_of_carbon_for_living_creatures

Answer 2

Carbon is the main constituent of all living cells. It has chemical properties that make it the most important biological element. For instance, it forms strong chemical bonds and can form single bonds with up to four other atoms. It can bond to itself. It can also form double and triple bonds. Carbon is one of the only elements, because of its bonding properties, that can create long chain-shaped molecules or ring shaped molecules. These carbon rings and chains form the basis for the fats (fatty acid chains), carbohydrates, nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), and proteins that serve as the basis of life. (Although elements, such as oxygen, hydrogen, phosphorus, sulfur and others are also needed).

The study of carbon molecules is called organic chemistry, and there is a subset, biochemistry, that deals with the carbon molecules in living organisms.

Even outside of the realm of biological life, carbon is important, especially to industry. Carbon is a critical component of fuel, such as gasoline or coal. Diamond (pure carbon) is used for drills as well as jewelry, and graphite, another form of carbon, is used in pencils. Scientists are in the process of using carbon to make nanotubes and other compounds that can be used in computers, bullet-proof armor, and other high-tech uses.

Answer 3

There are now more than ten million organic compounds known by chemists. Many more undoubtedly exist in nature, and organic chemists are continually creating (synthesizing) new ones.

Carbon is the only element that can form so many different compounds because each carbon atom can form four chemical bonds to other atoms, and because the carbon atom is just the right, small size to fit in comfortably as parts of very large molecules.

also it can form quadruple bond.

Answer 4

In it's elemental state (i.e. pure carbon) it can form different molecular structures to produce different materials. Graphite and diamond are both carbon but one is one of the hardest structures on earth and the other has weak enough bonds to shear onto paper.

Answer 5

Carbon is a unique element because its atomic number is 6, which means it has four valence electrons. Because it has four valence electrons, it is able to make up to four bonds per atom. It commonly makes a bond with hydrogen because hydrogen has one electron, which is also its valence electron. These new compounds that they make are called hydrocarbons. Hydro - for hydrogen - and carbon, well, for carbon! They can be found in many things, but most commonly known is plastic.

Answer 6

carbon compounds form the basis of all living organisms. carbon is an unique element as it is found in free form in nature. carbon with its valency 4, it can easily combine with other elements and to carbon itself. it is an essential component of all organic materials.

Answer 7

Carbon is unique from other elements because it can easily bond with itself. This is because carbon atoms have four valence electrons in their outer shell, allowing covalent bonding to easily occur. Carbon is also very important in biochemistry because it serves as the basis for all four main macromolecular compounds in life

Answer 8

Carbon is the basis of life. Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats are all made up of Carbon. Almost all living things have carbon in them.

Answer 9

Divide the elements mentioned on this page into 3 sets, solids, liquids and gases