
Carbon element (C) is in group 14 and period 2 of a periodic table. Carbon is in the p-block and it is classified as a Nonmetal on the periodic table.
There is a lot more information related to carbon which is mentioned in the Information Table given below.
So let’s dive right into it!
Table of contents
- Carbon element (Information Table)
- Carbon element in Periodic table
- Facts about Carbon
- Properties of Carbon
- Uses of Carbon
Carbon Element (Information Table)
The important data related to carbon element is given in the table below.
Appearance of carbon | Graphite has shiny black appearance, Diamond has clear appearance |
Atomic number of carbon | 6 |
Symbol of carbon | C |
Atomic mass of carbon | 12.011 u |
Protons, Neutrons & Electrons in carbon | Protons: 6, Neutrons: 6, Electrons: 6 |
State of carbon (at STP) | Solid |
Group number of carbon in periodic table | 14 |
Period number of carbon in periodic table | 2 |
Block of carbon in periodic table | p-block |
Category of carbon | Nonmetals |
Bohr model or Electrons per shell or Electrons arrangement in carbon | 2, 4 |
Electron configuration of carbon | [He] 2s2 2p2 |
Orbital diagram of carbon | ![]() |
Valence electrons in carbon | 4 |
Electronegativity of carbon (on pauling scale) | 2.55 |
Atomic radius of carbon (van der Waals radius) | 170 picometers |
Density of carbon | Graphite: 2.267 g/cm3 Diamond: 3.515 g/cm3 |
1st ionization energy of carbon | 17.423 eV |
Main isotopes of carbon | 12C, 13C, 14C |
Crystal structure of carbon | Hexagonal |
Also see: Interactive Periodic Table (It has rotating bohr models as well as many other details of all the 118 elements in a single periodic table).
Carbon element in Periodic table
The Carbon element (C) has the atomic number 6 and is located in group 14 and period 2. Carbon is a nonmetal and it is classified as a carbon group element.
H | He | ||||||||||||||||
Li | Be | B | C | N | O | F | Ne | ||||||||||
Na | Mg | Al | Si | P | S | Cl | Ar | ||||||||||
K | Ca | Sc | Ti | V | Cr | Mn | Fe | Co | Ni | Cu | Zn | Ga | Ge | As | Se | Br | Kr |
Rb | Sr | Y | Zr | Nb | Mo | Tc | Ru | Rh | Pd | Ag | Cd | In | Sn | Sb | Te | I | Xe |
Cs | Ba | La* | Hf | Ta | W | Re | Os | Ir | Pt | Au | Hg | Tl | Pb | Bi | Po | At | Rn |
Fr | Ra | Ac** | Rf | Db | Sg | Bh | Hs | Mt | Ds | Rg | Cn | Nh | Fl | Mc | Lv | Ts | Og |
*Ce | Pr | Nd | Pm | Sm | Eu | Gd | Tb | Dy | Ho | Er | Tm | Yb | Lu | ||||
**Th | Pa | U | Np | Pu | Am | Cm | Bk | Cf | Es | Fm | Md | No | Lr |
Facts about carbon
Here are a few interesting facts about carbon element.
- Carbon is an element that can form many compounds with other elements. Hence carbon is also known as a king of elements.
- Carbon is also present in our body in the form of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acid.
- Diamond is an allotrope of carbon which is the hardest material known till date.
- The graphite is an allotrope of carbon that can easily conduct electricity.
- Carbon is the 4th most abundant element found in the entire universe.
- Carbon is released from our body in the form of CO2 through exhalation.
Properties of carbon
Here is a list of some physical properties and chemical properties of carbon.
Physical properties of carbon
- The diamond is the allotrope of carbon that has a clear appearance and it is the hardest known material on the earth.
- The graphite is an allotrope of carbon that has a shiny black appearance.
- The graphite is a good conductor of electricity while the diamond is a good insulator.
- Graphite is a soft material which is used as a lubricant.
- The diamond is a hard material which is used as an abrasive.
Chemical properties of carbon
- The electron configuration of carbon element is [He] 2s2 2p2 and it has 4 valence electrons.
- Carbon can form a large number of compounds through a long chain of interconnecting carbon-carbon bonds.
- The carbon element does not react with chlorine, alkalis as well as acids like HCl and H2SO4.
- Carbon shows a reaction with oxygen at high temperatures, and it forms carbon oxides.
- Carbon reacts with sulfur to form carbon disulfide.
- Metallic carbides are formed when carbon reacts with metals at high temperatures.
Uses of carbon
Here are some uses of the carbon element.
- Carbon is alloyed with iron to form a carbon steel.
- Graphite is added to clay in making pencil leads.
- The charcoal is used as a drawing material in artwork.
- The carbon is also present in wood, oil as well as coal, and these are used as fuels to produce heat.
- It is also used in the manufacturing of brushes for electric motors.
- Carbon black is used in printing ink (for black pigment).
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