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Why carbon so unique?

Updated: 8/10/2023
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12y ago

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1. Carbon has 4 valence electrons

2. Bonds easily with other atoms

3. Creates strong/stable covalent bonds

4. It wants 4 more electrons

5. Creates long chains by bonding with itself

6. Bonds with O,N,H,P,S

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9y ago
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13y ago

Carbon can form up to four bonds (although phosphorus can form five and sulfur can form six, they are the only exceptions to the maximum four). Since carbon can bond with itself endlessly and with most other elements in many different shapes, it can be be a significant part of the construction of many kinds of complex molecules.

The structural variants of pure carbon have distinct properties that are, or are predicted to become, useful by themselves or in combination with other materials. Graphite, diamond, amorphous carbon, buckminsterfullerene, metallic nanotubes and semiconducting nanotubes, all are among the best at their most important roles.

Because carbon is so versatile in the ways in which it can bond, organisms can use the element in many different compounds for structure, energy storage, temporary particle-carrying, and more. Thus carbon-based compounds have earned the name "organic compounds", even though not all of them are related to organic reactions.

The most fantastic thing about carbon is that, as far as science can tell, it is the only element that can carry out its role in life. Silicon was thought of as a possible candidate but, since it cannot create the complex molecules that carbon can, it would be very difficult for life to be based on silicon.

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12y ago

1- The carbon atoms are tetravalent and may form 4 covalent bonds in different directions.

2- The carbon atom is smallest among those which are tetravalent so forms strong covalent bonds.

3- The carbon atoms may form multiple bonds (single,double,triple) so carbon compounds may adjust themselves according to available conditions.

Due to above, the carbon compounds are about 3 millions and all other elements form totally about 0.1 millions.

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12y ago

Carbon is actually used in all organic compounds which contains four carbons.

I know not a lot but that is one reason why carbon is a special element.

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11y ago

its an element !

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12y ago

its unique because its very unique ...

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Q: Why carbon so unique?
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What carbon is unique due to the carbon atoms?

Bonding Properties


What is unique about carbon?

Bonding properties


What are the chemical properties of carbon?

As unique and interesting as carbon is in its pure form, the real magic of carbon comes from its ability to serve as connecting block in a chemical Mechano Set that we refer to as "Organic Chemisty".As the name implies, Organic Chemistry is the chemistry of life. But it is also the chemistry required to produce fuels, solvents, plastics, dies, pharmaceuticals and much more.One of the properties that makes Carbon unique is its ability to create four covalent bonds allowing it to link to itself in order to create carbon chains of various lengths and configurations, or to connect to non-carbon atoms in order to form compounds with unique and specialized chemical properties.Hydrogen plays a special role in carbon chemistry as an "end adapter" ... Wherever a Carbon atom connects to a hydrogen atom the carbon chain ends. This special relationship between carbon and hydrogen is so important that it leads to study of a class of chemicals knowns as "Hydrocarbons" which consist of combinations of only Hydrogen and Carbon atoms.


Why silicon does not show catenation?

catenation is a unique property shown by carbon. for catination to occur, we need certain conditions to be satisfied. a most important factor is the size. carbon satisfies the size requirements which favours strong c-c bonds. but Si-Si bonds are not so strong in our conditions.


Why is carbon unique?

The carbon atom has the ability to connect with atoms of many different elements.This is why carbon is the most abundant element in life (as we know it) and when put under pressure and high temperature is the hardest object known to man (diamond).

Related questions

What is unique qualities of carbon?

Carbon can get attached to other four atoms, including other four carbon atoms. Carbon can form the chain and that is unique to this atom.


How important the carbon in the human body?

Carbon has a property to form a chain. This unique property of carbon gives it upper hand. So you have organic versus non-organic chemistry. There can be variety of chemicals with carbon only. So life without carbon is impossible.


What carbon is unique due to the carbon atoms?

Bonding Properties


What is unique about carbon?

Bonding properties


Why the life on the Earth is carbon based?

One carbon atom can be attached to other carbon atom. By this unique property of carbon, that you can get very large number of molecules. No other atom has got this property. So life without the carbon atom is not possible.


Why is carbon chemically unique?

Carbon is unique because it bonds to itself to produce long chains and rings, it can bond to itself with single, double and triple bonds.


Is carbon such a unique element?

carbon compounds form the basis of all living organisms. carbon is an unique element as it is found in free form in nature. carbon with its valency 4, it can easily combine with other elements and to carbon itself. it is an essential component of all organic materials.


Why is carbon unique element?

Of all atoms, carbon has the greatest diversity of chemical bonding patterns that permit so many different structures. Like Lego blocks with the most bumps.


What is the reason for catenation property?

carbon has unique ability


What is so unique about carbon that allows it to form the different types of organic molecules that make up living things?

It can bond to itself.


Is carbon dioxide unique to earth?

Carbon Dioxide do exist in universe in places other than Earth.


What is unique about the element carbon?

The element carbon is unique because it has four valence electrons, allowing it to form four bonds with other molecules. It also is unique in the sense that it can bond with other carbons, something most other elements cannot do.