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Carbon - An Important Element: Class 9th Science
Carbon - An Important Element: Class 9th Science
Carbon - An Important Element: Class 9th Science
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Graphite
Graphite is soft, black, brittle and slippery crystalline solid. Every carbon atom in graphite is
bonded to three other carbon atoms in such a way that a hexagonal layered structure is formed. A
graphite crystal is made of many sheets or layers of carbon atoms. These layers slip over each other
on applying pressure. One layer of graphite is called graphene.
Properties
• Graphite found in nature is black, soft, brittle and
slippery.
• Graphite is a good conductor of electricity. [Inside
each layer of graphite, free electrons move
continuously within the entire layer]
• Due to the layered structure graphite can be used
for writing on paper.
• The density of graphite is 1.9 to 2.3 g/cm3.
• Graphite does not dissolve in most solvents.
[Dissolve in molten nickel and warm chlorosulfuric
acid (HSO3Cl)]
Uses
• Graphite is used for making lubricants.
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In addition to the above three allotropic forms, carbon also exists in three microcrystalline or
amorphous forms of graphite. They are coal, charcoal and coke.
Coal
Coal is a fossil fuel. It contains carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. It also contains nitrogen, phosphorus
and sulphur. It is of four types.
• Peat
Formation of peat is the first step in the formation of coal. It contains a high proportion of
water and less than 60% of carbon.
• Lignite
Lignite is the second step of the formation of coal. Peat was transformed into lignite due to
increased pressure and temperature inside the earth. It contains 60 to 70% of carbon.
• Bituminous coal
Bituminous coal was formed as the third step of formation of coal. It contains 70 to 90% of
carbon.
• Anthracite
Anthracite is known as the pure form of coal. This coal is hard and contains about 95% of
carbon.
Uses
Coal is used to obtain coke, coal gas and coal tar. Coal is used in thermal power plants for generation
of electricity and used as fuel in factories and homes.
Charcoal
Charcoal is a lightweight black carbon. The charcoal that is made from animals is made from
their bones, horns, etc. On the other hand, the charcoal made from plants is formed by combustion of
wood in an insufficient supply of air.
Uses
Charcoal is used as metallurgical fuel. Charcoal has high surface area hence charcoal used as
filter and catalyst.
Coke
The pure coal that remains when coal gas has been taken away from coal [residue from
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Inorganic compounds, any substance in which two or more chemical elements (usually other
than carbon) are combined, nearly always in definite proportions. For example, limestone, marble and
dolomite contain carbon as carbonates. The other inorganic compounds are carbides of metal (e.g.
CaC2, calcium carbide), HCN, CS2 and oxides of carbon such as CO2 and CO.
After having a general idea about the nature of compounds, let us now study the oxides of carbon.
Oxides of Carbon
The two important oxides of carbon are carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2).
Carbon monoxide is formed when carbon or hydrocarbons are burned in a limited supply of
oxygen.
2C + O2 → 2 CO
Uses
• It is used as a reducing agent in metallurgical processes to reduce metal oxides.
• In the presence of a catalyst, it can combine with hydrogen to give methanol (CH3OH).
• It forms carbonyl compounds.
• It is used as a fuel.
• It is used in the synthesis of several organic compounds.
It is a major air pollutant and is released in large quantities from automobile engines. Its low level
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poisoning causes headache and drowsiness whereas its large amounts can cause even death. It is toxic
because it reduces the oxygen carrying capacity of blood by binding with heamoglobin, the red
pigment of blood.
Carbon dioxide is formed when carbon containing substances are burnt in excess of oxygen.
C + O2 → CO2
Methane burns completely.
CH4 + 2 O2 → CO2 + 2 H2O + Heat
It is also produced by heating of carbonates.
CaCO3 → CaO + CO2
Uses
• Solid carbon dioxide also called dry ice is used as a refrigerant because when it is cooled at
atmospheric pressure, it condenses into a solid rather than as a liquid. This solid sublime at
–78.5°C.
• Plants use CO2 in air for photosynthesis.
• It is used in the production of carbonated drinks.
• It is used in the production of washing soda (Na2CO3.10H2O) and baking soda (NaHCO3).
2NaOH + CO2 → Na2CO3 + H2O
Na2CO3 + H2O + CO2 → 2NaHCO3
• It is also used for getting special effects of a mist in dramas and movies.
• CO2 obtained by chemical reaction or kept under pressure is used in fire extinguishers.
Fire Extinguisher
A fire extinguisher contains sodium bicarbonate powder. There is also dilute sulphuric acid
placed in a glass capsule. The capsule breaks on pressing the knob, the sulphuric acid comes in contact
with the sodium bicarbonate and the two react chemically to release CO2 which comes out.
2NaHCO3 + H2SO4 → Na2SO4 + 2 H2O + 2 CO2 ↑
Hydrocarbons
Hydrocarbons are compounds
which contain only carbon and hydrogen.
Hydrocarbons can be divided into various
classes as show in chart.
The aliphatic hydrocarbons can be
divided into two categories : saturated
hydrocarbons and unsaturated
hydrocarbons.
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Saturated hydrocarbons
In saturated hydrocarbons, carbon atoms
are linked to each other by single bonds.
Methane (CH4)
When a carbon atom shares one electron each with four hydrogen atoms and form four C-H
covalent bonds, a methane (CH4) covalent compound is formed.
Properties of Methane [ Marsh gas / Natural gas / Carbon tetrahydride / Hydrogen carbide ]
Uses
• Methane is used in industries such as fabric mills, paper mills, food processing industry, petrol
purification.
• Methane is a smallest hydrocarbon, the proportion of CO2 released in the combustion of
methane is small hence, it is used as a domestic fuel.
CH4 + 2 O2 → CO2+ 2 H2O + heat
• Methane is used for production of organic compounds such as ethanol, methyl chloride,
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Ethane (C2H6)
Carbon atom is further linked to another carbon atom, we get another alkane,
namely ethane (C2H6).
Unsaturated Hydrocarbons
In unsaturated hydrocarbons, multiple bond (double and triple bonds) are present between
carbon atoms.
Alkene
Unsaturated hydrocarbons having carbon-carbon double bonds (— C = C —) are called
alkenes. The general formula is CnH2n where, n represents the number of carbon atoms in the alkene
molecule.
Alkyne
Those unsaturated hydrocarbons having carbon – carbon triple bonds (— C ≡ C —) are known
as alkynes. The general formula of alkynes is CnH2n-2 where, n is the number of carbon atoms in the
alkyne molecule.
No. of Carbon Atoms Molecular Formula Name
2 Ethyne C2H2
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3 Propyne C3H4
4 Butyne C4H6
5 Pentyne C5H8
THANK U….
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