Carbon is found in Group IV, Period II of the periodic table. Its electronic configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p². It occurs naturally in different forms called allotropes.
🔹 Allotropy
Allotropy is the ability of an element to exist in two or more different forms in the same physical state.
- Crystalline allotropes: Diamond, Graphite, Fullerenes
- Amorphous forms: Coal, Charcoal, Coke, Soot, Lampblack
💎 Diamond
Diamond is a pure crystalline form of carbon with a strong tetrahedral structure.
- Hardest natural substance
- High melting point
- Does not conduct electricity
- Transparent and shiny
Uses: cutting tools, drilling, jewelry, precision instruments.
✏️ Graphite
Graphite has flat layers of carbon atoms with free electrons.
- Soft and slippery
- Good conductor of electricity
- High melting point
Uses: pencil lead, lubricant, electrodes, crucibles.
⚽ Fullerenes
Fullerenes (e.g. C60) are spherical carbon molecules called buckyballs. They are used in medicine, electronics and materials science.
🖤 Amorphous Carbon
- Charcoal – absorbs gases and colours
- Carbon black & lampblack – used in tyres, inks and polish
- Coal – used mainly as fuel
🪨 Types of Coal
- Peat – about 60% carbon
- Lignite – about 67% carbon
- Bituminous – about 88% carbon
- Anthracite – about 94% carbon (hardest and purest)
🔥 Destructive Distillation of Coal
Heating coal to a high temperature in the absence of air produces:
- Coke
- Coal gas
- Coal tar
- Ammoniacal liquor
🔥 Fuel Gases
- Producer gas – CO + N2
- Water gas – CO + H2
- Synthetic gas – CO + H2
🧪 Chemical Properties of Carbon
- Burns in oxygen to form CO2 or CO
- Combines with elements like sulphur and hydrogen
- Acts as a reducing agent in metal extraction
- Is oxidized by strong acids to form CO2