Carbon is a chemical element, it’s symbol is C. It is nonmetallic and tetravalent- meaning that its atoms are able to form up to four covalent bonds due to its valence shell exhibiting 4 electrons.
In the Periodic Table
| Atomic Number | Atomic Mass | Electronegativity |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 12.011 | 2.55 |
History
The English name carbon comes from the Latin carbo for coal and charcoal, it also comes from the French charbon, meaning charcoal. Carbon was discovered prehistory and was known in the forms of soot and charcoal to the earliest human civilizations, in the form of charcoal. Antoine Lavoisier formally recognized and listed it as an element in 1789, proving diamonds and charcoal were the same substance.
Usages
Carbon is used in carbon fiber, makes lightweight, strong materials for cars, aircraft and sporting goods, fossil fuels, coal, oil, and natural gas, batteries and capacitors, graphite and carbon nanotubes are used in energy storage, activated carbon, excellent for water and air purification, medicines & chemicals, organic compounds, and diamonds are a form of carbon.
