Properties of Carbon

(i)Physical properties of carbon

Carbon occur widely and naturally as a black solid

It is insoluble in water but soluble in carbon disulphide and organic solvents.

It is a poor electrical and thermal conductor.

Chemical properties of carbon

Carbon burns in excess air/Oxygen with a blue non-sooty/non-smoky flame forming Carbon (IV) oxide gas. Carbon burns in limited air with a blue non-sooty/non-smoky flame forming Carbon (II) oxide gas.

Carbon (IV) oxide gas dissolve in water to form a weak acidic solution of Carbonic  (IV)acid.

C(s)   + O₂ (g)     ->  CO₂ (g)  (in excess air)

2C(s)   + O₂ (g)     ->  2CO(g)  (in limited air)

CO₂ (g)   +    H₂O (l)  -> H₂CO₃ (aq)  (very weak acid)

Carbon is a reducing agent.

 For ages it has been used to reducing metal oxide ores to metal, itself oxidized to carbon(IV)oxide gas.

 Carbon reduces black copper(II)oxide to brown copper metal

2CuO(s)  +   C(s)     ->     2Cu(s)         +    CO₂ (g)

USES OF CARBON

• It makes up for 18% of the human body. Sugar, glucose, proteins etc are all made of it. ...
• Carbon in its diamond form is used in jewellery obviously. ...
• Amorphous carbon is used to make inks and paints. ...
• Graphite is used as the lead in your pencils. ...
• One of the most important uses is carbon dating

1. State the physical property of graphite that makes it a good conductor of electricity.

2. Diamond is the hardest known substance on the earths surface. Explain?