Occurrence of Carbon
Carbon is one of the most abundant mineral in the Universe and it exist generally in two states that are,
- Free State
- Combined State
Carbon has three naturally occurring isotopes and the isotopes of the carbon are, C-12, C-13, and C-14. C-12 is the most abundant isotope of the carbon and C-14 is the radioactive isotope of carbon and it is widely used for carbon dating.
Let’s learn about them in detail.
Free State
After hydrogen, helium, and oxygen, carbon is the fourth most abundant chemical element in the observable universe by mass. Carbon is abundant in the sun, stars, comets, and most planets’ atmospheres. Some meteorites contain microscopic diamonds that formed when the solar system was still in the form of a protoplanetary disc.
The great majority of carbonate rock masses contain carbon (limestone, dolomite, marble and so on). Coal is the most abundant commercial source of mineral carbon and is very rich in carbon (anthracite contains 92–98 %). The majority of diamond deposits are found in Africa. Diamonds are now being recovered from the seafloor off the coast of the Cape of Good Hope. Diamonds are found naturally, but approximately 30% of all industrial diamonds used in the United States are now manufactured.
Combined State
Carbon can be found in the Earth’s atmosphere and is dissolved in all bodies of water. Carbon can also be found in hydrocarbons (such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas). Coal reserves are estimated to be around 900 gigatons. Carbon can also be found in methane hydrates found in the polar regions and beneath the seas.
It can also be found in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons as natural gas and petroleum, cellulose in wood, and limestone in combined states. Carbon compounds such as calcium and magnesium carbonates aid in the formation of common minerals such as dolomite, magnesite, limestone, and marble. Furthermore, the shells of clams, oysters, and corals are calcium carbonate.
Carbon
Carbon is a chemical element with the symbol C and atomic number 6. The name of Carbon is derived from the Latin word Carbo meaning ‘coal’. Carbon is a nonmetallic and tetravalent atom, i.e. it forms four covalent bonds with other atoms. Carbon accounts for only about 0.025% of the Earth’s crust. Carbon is the 15th most abundant element in the Earth’s crust and, by mass, the fourth most abundant element in the universe.
In this article, we will learn about, Carbon the properties of carbon, its uses of carbon, and others in detail.
Table of Content
- What is Carbon?
- Properties of Carbon
- Allotropes of Carbon
- Uses of Carbon
- Biological Role of Carbon
- Occurrence of Carbon
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