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Experiments with carbon and its areas of application
Carbon is one of the few chemical elements to have allotropic modifications, meaning that it exists in different forms that vary widely in chemical and physical properties. Its most well-known allotropic modifications are coal, graphite, and diamond. Curiously, graphite and coal are quite soft, while diamond is the hardest of the naturally-occurringminerals.
Carbon in the form of pyrolytic graphite also possesses the unique ability to magnetically levitate. If a piece is placed in a magnetic field, the field will hold the pyrolytic graphite in the air, creating a “levitating” effect. When placed in a magnetic field, pyrolytic graphite creates its own field to oppose the one acting onit.
History
Carbon has been utilized in the forms of soot and coal since ancient times. In 1772, A. Lavoisier demonstrated that diamond and coal were both forms of carbon, and in 1789 he listed carbon as a chemical element in hiswritings.
In 1996, R. Curl, H. Kroto, and R. Smalley received the Nobel prize in chemistry for the discovery of a new form of carbon – fullerenes. Curiously, fullerenes С₆₀ and С₇₀ are structured like soccer and rugby balls. This discovery revived interest towards carbon and itsmodifications.
Chemical properties andobtainment
Carbon can be found naturally as two simple substances – graphite and diamond – and less frequently as coal.Carbon is quite inert in standard conditions, but can act as a reducing agent when heated. It can reduce copper(II) oxide tocopper:
С + 2CuO = CO₂ +2Cu
Coal smolders in air, but ignites in pureoxygen:
С + О₂ =СО₂
Biologicalrole
Carbon compounds are fundamental to life on Earth; carbon is present in proteins, fats, carbohydrates, enzymes, and DNA, all of which are integral to the existence of each living organism.
Uses
- Graphite is most well-known for its use in pencilrods.
- Activated carbon absorbs gasesefficiently.
- It is utilized in gas masks andrespirators.
- Activated carbon’s low toxicity makes it useful as an adsorbent inmedicine.
- Thanks to their incredible hardness, diamonds are used to make knives, drills, andchisels.
- Cut and refined diamonds are popular injewelry.
- Carbon can also be found in several forms of fuel: oil, lumber, and coal. Moreover, it is fundamental in plastics, rubber, and other materials crucial for modernhumankind.
- Carbon is a fundamental component of steel andcast-iron.
- Soot (carbon) can be used as a pigment inpaints.
- Carbon fibers are used in car manufacturing for their strength andlightness.
- Curiously, the constantly-forming (14C) in the atmosphere, which plants readily absorb, can be used to determine the ages of archeologicaldiscoveries.
Dozens of experiments you can do at home
One of the most exciting and ambitious home-chemistry educational projects
The Royal Society of Chemistry