Carbon Facts
Chemical Symbol C
Atomic number 6
Atomic weight 12.011
Solid
The word carbon comes from the Latin word "carbo", meaning charcoal.
Carbon is the sixth most abundant element in the universe.
Carbon is the second-most common element in the human body.
Hardest form of carbon is diamond. Diamond has a high melting point.
The element carbon comes in different forms or allotropes.
Three forms or allotropes of pure carbon are diamond, graphite and buckminster fullerene or buckyballs.
The carbon atoms are joined by strong covalent bonds in all three allotropes.
Graphite is a black, soft form of carbon.
Carbon is found as carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere of the Earth and also found dissolved in all water.
Carbon monoxide (CO)is a reducing agent. It is used to refine the metals from their ores.
Carbon is exchanged between organisms and the environment in a continuous process. It is known as the carbon cycle.