Carbon is an element in Group IV(Group 4)of the Periodic table .
It has atomic number 6 and electronic configuration 2:4 and thus has four valence electrons(tetravalent).
It does not easily ionize but forms strong covalent bonds with other elements including itself.
(a)Occurrence
Carbon mainly naturally occurs as:
(i)allotropes of carbon i.e graphite, diamond and fullerenes.
(ii)amorphous carbon in coal, peat ,charcoal and coke.
(iii)carbon(IV)oxide gas accounting 0.03% by volume of normal air in the atmosphere.