Carbon
Carbon is represented by the element symbol C and atomic number 6. Carbon comes from the Latin word carbo, which means coal. It is a nonmetallic tetravalent - making four electrons availible to form covalent chemical bonds. All life depends on carbon.It is in almost every biological compound that makes up our bodies, systems, organs, cells, and organelles. When we breath in we breath out carbon dioxide ( CO² ). Carbon has been used for thousands of years, but was never really discovered.
The Different Forms of Carbon
1. Dry Ice: Dry ice is the solid form of carbon. It's frozen carbon dioxide with a temperature of -78.5°C and melts into a gas rather than a liquid form to creat the popular smoke effect.
2. Fizzy Drinks: when held under pressure carbon dioxide dissolves into water, and it then causes bubbles on your tongue as it forms a carbonic acid as you take a gulp.
3.Carbon Dating: The age of fossils and minerals can be found by using carbon - 14 which is a radioactive isotope of carbon.
4.Teeth Whitening: Carbon is the key element in teeth whitening treatments, found as carbon admide peroxide in both dentist and over-thecounter treatments.
5. Fire Extinguishers: A fire extinguisher containing carbon dioxide is mainly used for fighting electrical fires. The carbon goes back into the atmosphere without leaving any harmful fumes.
6. Pencils: Graphite is used in pencils for writing, and is a form of carbon.
7. Diamonds: A diamond is a different form of carbon. The carbon atoms in a diamond are arranged in a strong, tetrahedral structure. The word diamond comes from the Greek word meaning unbreakable.
8. Plants: Carbon is the most important element in plants. Without it plants would not exist.
9. Charcoal: The main ingredient in charcoal is carbon.
10. Petrolium Products: Carbon is the most important element in gaseoline. Since gaseoline is made up of oil and oil is made from dead plants it has carbon in it.
The Carbon Cycle
The ocean, air, rocks and all living things are made of carbon. Since Earth is a dynamic place carbon does not stay still. It's always on the move. In the atmosphere, carbon is attached to some oxygen in a gas called carbon dioxide. The plants use that carbon dioxide and sunlight to make thier own food and grow.
Websites Used
http://www.howitworksdaily.com/science/top-five-facts-uses-of-carbon/
http://www.chem4kids.com/files/elements/006_shells.html
http://browse.deviantart.com/customization/emoticons/?q=teeth#/d2ixsy9
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/chemistry/diamond.html
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/chemistry/carbon.html
http://juliencook.deviantart.com/art/Jummpy-Diamond-162968703
http://eo.ucar.edu/kids/green/cycles6.htm
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