CK-12 Physical Science - For Middle School

http://www.ck12.org Chapter 9. Chemistry of Carbon

9.1 Properties of Carbon

Lesson Objectives

• Explain how carbon forms bonds.


• Define monomer and polymer.


• Describe forms of carbon.

Lesson Vocabulary

• monomer


• polymer

Introduction

Carbon is a very common "ingredient" of matter. The reason? Carbon can combine with itself and with many other
elements to form a great diversity of compounds. The compounds can also range in size from just a few atoms to
thousands. There are millions of known carbon compounds. Carbon is the only element that can form so many
different compounds. You can find a good introduction to carbon and its chemistry at these URLs:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJnlNpMStbs


• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kjn5Ht0Vn30 (9:27)

MEDIA

Click image to the left for use the URL below.

URL: http://www.ck12.org/flx/render/embeddedobject/5088

Valence Electrons and Bonding in Carbon

Carbon is a nonmetal in group 14 of the periodic table. Like other group 14 compounds, carbon has four valence
electrons. Valence electrons are the electrons in the outer energy level of an atom that are involved in chemical
bonds. The valence electrons of carbon are shown inFigure9.1.