Question

Why does carbon form a number of compounds?

Answer 1

Carbon is known to form millions of organic compounds. Carbon has a property to form multiple bonds which are stable bonds. Write the electronic configuration of carbon atoms. The number of unpaired electrons can reason why carbon forms multiple bonds.

Complete step-by-step answer:
Carbon is a chemical element having the symbol C and atomic number 6. The atomic mass of a carbon atom is 12 atomic mass units (amu) or 12 g in terms of gram atomic mass. It is found that carbon is non-metal by nature and is placed under the 14th group of the modern periodic table in p-block. Carbon has 3 isotopes, out of which the main isotope is $^{12}C$. However, $^{14}C$is a radioactive isotope of carbon. Carbon along with isotopes, has several allotropes as well. Examples of allotropes include graphite, diamond, fullerenes etc. Carbon forms a number of compounds because of the reasons listed below:
- Tetravalency : carbon readily forms 4 covalent bonds with other atoms
- Catenation : Two carbon atoms readily form covalent bonds which is thermodynamically stable
- Average electronegativity of carbon that facilitates bond formation.

Additional information: Carbon is the 15th most abundant element in the crust of Earth and fourth in the universe in terms of mass after hydrogen, helium and oxygen. Carbon along with hydrogen forms a class of organic compounds called hydrocarbons.

Note: The radioactive isotope of carbon is used for carbon dating that helps in identifying the age of fossils. The strength of catenation decreases down the group from carbon to lead.