Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Isotopes of carbon

Introduction to Carbon:
The element with atomic number 6 in the periodic table refers to Carbon which belongs to group 14.  This element is widely distributed in most of the planets.  Carbon is a nonmetallic and tetravalent element and it forms covalent bonds.  The common oxidation states of carbon are +4 in organic compounds and +2 in carbon monoxide and transition metal complexes.  Diamond is the hardest material of carbon where as ceraphite is the softest material.   Mainly there are three allotropes of carbon fullerenes, diamond and graphite and some other forms are ionsdaleite, buckminsterfullerene and also carbon nanotube.
Allotropic forms of element with atomic number 6:
Fullerene                                 
Structure of fullerene     

Isotopes of carbon:

Among seven isotopes carbon has two stable isotopes. Those two isotopes of carbon are carbon-14 which is a naturally occurring radioisotope, it is used in carbon dating. Carbon- 13 which forms only 1.07%. Carbon-8 is the shortest lived isotope. Carbon-19 is the isotope which exhibits nuclear halo.
Compounds of carbon:
In atmosphere, carbon is found in combination with other elements like oxygen, hydrogen etc.  For ex: carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, carbon disulfide, carbon tetra fluoride, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, methane, ethylene, acetylene , benzene , acetic acid its derivatives.
Organic compound containing carbon (carbon tetra fluoride):
Structure of carbon tetra fluoride

Properties of carbon:

  • Atomic mass: 12
  • Appearance: solid
  • Electronic configuration: 1s2 2s2 2p2 or [He] 2s2 2p2
  • Density: 1.8-3.5g/cm3
  • Melting point: 3915K
  • Oxidation states: +4, +2
  • Vander walls radius: 170pm
Applications of carbon:
1. Without carbon life could not exist because it plays an important role.
2. Carbon-14 which is naturally occurring isotope is used in carbon dating.
3. Allotrope of carbon (graphite) is used in pencil leads.
4. Hydrocarbons in combination with carbon are used in the production of gasoline and kerosene.
5. In nuclear reactors, it is used as neutron moderator.
6. It is (charcoal) used in artwork as a drawing material.
7. Cellulose is a natural carbon containing polymer used in maintaining the structure of plants.
8. Synthetic carbon is used in the production of plastics
9. It is used in diamond industries.
Diamond jewelry
10. Now a day’s used in the production of carbon nanotube.

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