Reflection of Carbon
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Martias WambiReflection of Carbon
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Martias WambiThe definition of carbon chemistry means the use of the element carbon to bond with itself or other elements
in chemical reactions,
forming as many as ten million compounds. An example of carbon chemistry is combining carbon and oxygen to form carbon dioxide.
Carbon is an essential element for all life forms on Earth. Whether these life forms take in carbon to help manufacture food or release
carbon as part of respiration, the intake and output of carbon is a component of all plant and animal life. Carbon is in a constant state of
movement from place to place. Carbon is available in the form of hydrocarbons other than food and wood such as fossil fuel, methane
gas, and crude oil. Carbon fibres have multiple uses since they are strong, yet lightweight, durable materials. These fibres are used in
making tennis rackets, fishing rods, aeroplanes, and rockets. The industrial diamonds are used for drilling and cutting rocks.
Hydrocarbons are organic molecules consisting entirely of carbon and hydrogen. We often use hydrocarbons in our daily lives: for
instance, the propane in a gas grill and the butane in a lighter are both hydrocarbons. They make good fuels because their covalent bonds
store a large amount of energy, which is released when the molecules are burned (i.e., when they react with oxygen to form carbon
dioxide and water).
Most macromolecules are not classified as hydrocarbons, because they contain other atoms in addition to carbon and hydrogen, such as
nitrogen, oxygen, and phosphorus. However, carbon chains with attached hydrogens are a key structural component of most
macromolecules (even if they are interspersed with other atoms), so understanding the properties of hydrocarbons is important to
understanding the behavior of macromolecules.
