Std 8 – Chemistry - Carbon and its compounds

Allotropy: Phenomenon of existence of an element in more than one physical form

having different physical properties but the same graded chemical properties.

Reason for allotropy: Difference in atomic arrangement in the crystal structure of the
element, hence they exhibit different physical properties but have similar chemical
properties.

Allotropes of carbon

Crystalline forms Amorphous forms

Diamond Charcoal
Graphite Lampblack or soot
Fullerene Coal
Coke

Questions
1. Define allotropy.
2. Give reason: Same element exists in more than one physical form with different
physical properties but the same graded chemical properties.
3. Give examples of crystalline and amorphous allotropes of carbon.

Diamond
Structure
 It is a three dimensional octahedral crystal built up from tetrahedral unit.
 Each carbon atom is linked to four other carbon atoms by strong covalent bonds.

Physical properties
 Colourless and transparent.
 Hardest natural substance due to strength and uniformity of carbon-carbon
covalent bonds.
 High density due to compactness of crystal structure.
 Non-conductor of electricity due to absence of free electrons in the crystal.
 Very poor conductor of heat.

Chemical properties
 Very inert and does not react with chemicals like acids, alkalis etc. due to its
compact structure.
 Burns in air at about 900 .
 Diamond is the purest form of carbon since- When heated in an atmosphere of O2
it catches fire at about 800 forming CO2 only.

Uses with reasons

 Black diamonds are used as a tip for deep boring drills and cutting glass and other
diamonds due to hardness.
 Colourless diamond is used as a gem in jewellery since it has a sparkling brilliance
due to high refractive index.
Graphite
Structure
 It is a two dimensional sheetlike flat layered crystal built up from a hexagonal
unit.
 Each carbon atom is linked to three other carbon atoms by covalent bonds in the
same layer.
 The layers run parallel one above the other and are held together by weak Van der
Waal’s forces.

Physical properties
 Blackish grey opaque solid with metallic lusture.
 Soft, greasy and leaves a mark on paper.
Reason: Parallel layers of C atoms held together by weak Van der Waal’s forces
slide over one another.
 Low density due to its open crystal structure.
 Good conductor of heat and electricity due to presence of mobile electrons in the
crystal.

Chemical properties
 Slightly more reactive than diamond due to its open structure and reacts with
strong oxidizing agents like conc. HNO3, conc. H2SO4 forming CO2.
 Does not burn in air.
 When heated in an atmosphere of O2 it burns brightly at about 700 forming CO2,
traces of CO and a small amount of ash.

Uses with reasons

 Mixture of graphite and clay moulded into rods used as pencil lead since it leaves
a mark on paper due to presence Van der Waal’s forces between the parallel
layers.
 As lubricant when used is non-volatile and non-sticky and reduces friction due to
parallel layers sliding over one another.
 In refractory crucibles as it can withstand high temperature and is a good
conductor of heat.
 As electrode since it is good conductor of electricity, relatively inert and almost
does not react with acids.

Questions
1. Name the following
a) The hardest naturally occurring substance.
b) Blackish grey non-metal which is good conductor of electricity.
c) Weak forces which hold parallel layers of graphite together.
d) The physical property of diamond responsible for its use as gem stone.
2. Write two differences between diamond and graphite.
3. Give reasons:
a) Refractory crucibles used in the manufacture of high grade steel and alloy have
graphite lining.
b) Diamond is very hard.
c) Graphite is a good conductor of electricity but diamond is not.
d) Diamond is the purest form of carbon but not graphite.
Carbon dioxide
General methods of preparation
1. Burning carbon and hydrocarbons in sufficient supply of air
C + O2 → CO2 + ∆
Coke
CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O + ∆
Methane

2. By action of dilute mineral acids on metal carbonates and bicarbonates

CaCO3 + 2HCl → CaCl2 + H2O + CO2
2NaHCO3 + H2SO4 → Na2SO4 + 2H2O + 2CO2
KHCO3 + HNO3 → KNO3 + H2O + CO2

Laboratory preparation

Reaction: CaCO3 + 2HCl → CaCl2 + H2O + CO2

Marble chips (dil.)
(In flask) (from thistle funnel)

Purification: CO2 gas evolved can be passed through washer bottles containing
A. KHCO3 solution – Absorbs residual HCl vapours
B. Conc. H2SO4 – Absorbs moisture

Collection: Pure CO2 is collected by upward displacement of air

Reason: It is 1.5 times heavier than air
Not collected over water as it is fairly soluble in water

Reason for not using dilute sulphuric acid: As it reacts with CaCO3 and forms an
insoluble coating on marble chips which stops the further reaction.
CaCO3 + dil. H2SO4 → CaSO4 + H2O + CO2
(insoluble)
Physical properties
 Colourless, odourless, slightly sour in taste and non-poisonous gas.
 About 1.5 times heavier than air.(V.D of air = 14.4 ; V.D of CO2 = 22)
 Fairly soluble in water and dissolves better at high pressures.
 Liquefies around 70 atm pressure at ordinary temperatures.
 Solidifies to form a white sublimable solid called dry ice at -78

Chemical Properties
 Non-combustible and non-supporter of combustion.
 Slightly acidic in nature (turns blue litmus paper pink).

Chemical reactions of CO2

1. With water
CO2 dissolves in water under pressure to give carbonic acid
CO2 + H2O H2CO3

2. With ammonia
CO2 reacts with ammonia gas to form urea (a nitrogenous fertilizer).
2NH3 + CO2 → (NH2)2CO + H2O
 3. With carbon (coke)
CO2 is reduced to a highly poisonous gas CO by carbon (coke).
CO2 + C → 2CO

4. With magnesium (Test for CO2)

Burning magnesium burns in CO2 making use of oxygen of CO2 producing black
carbon particles.
2Mg + CO2 → 2MgO + C

5. With basic oxides

Na2O + CO2 → Na2CO3
CaO + CO2 → CaCO3
MgO + CO2 → MgCO3

6. With lime water (Test for CO2)

When carbon dioxide is bubbled into lime water, the lime water turns milky due to
the formation of insoluble calcium carbonate.
Ca(OH)2 + CO2 → CaCO3↓ + H2O
Insoluble
When CO2 is passed in excess, milkiness disappears due to formation of water
soluble calcium bicarbonate.
CaCO3 + H2O + CO2 → Ca(HCO3)2

Uses with reasons

 Soda manufacture – CO2 gives a fizz to the effervescent drink since on opening the
bottle it escapes out due to fall in pressure.
 Dry ice - Used as refrigerant for preservation of foods as it freezes faster and lasts
longer than ordinary ice.
 Baking food items – Baking powder when mixed with dough liberates CO2 that
makes the dough light and porous.
 In fire extinguisher – As CO2 is non-combustible, non-supporter of combustion
and heavier than air.
 Photosynthesis – Process by which green plants prepare their food with CO2 and
water in presence of sunlight and chlorophyll.

Questions
1. Give balanced chemical for the conversion carbon dioxide to carbon. Also
mention one relevant observation for the above chemical reaction.
2. What is dry ice? Give its use.
3. Name the following
a) A nitrogenous fertilizer obtained when carbon dioxide reacts with ammonia gas.
b) Solution used to absorb residual HCl vapours in laboratory preparation of CO2.
4. Complete and balance the following equations.
a) Na2O + CO2 →
b) CO2 + C →
c) CH4 + O2 →
d) K2CO3 + HNO3 →
e) NH3 + CO2 →
5. Give balanced chemical equation for laboratory preparation of CO2. State the
method used to collect CO2 gas.
6. Give reason:
a) Dilute H2SO4 is not used as a reactant in the lab preparation of CO2.
b) When carbon dioxide is bubbled into lime water, the lime water turns milky
and when bubbled in excess milkiness disappears.
c) CO2 is not collected over water during its laboratory preparation.
d) On opening soda bottle we see a fizz.
e) Solid carbon dioxide is used for refrigeration of food.
Carbon monoxide
 It is a product of burning of carbon or its compounds in a limited supply of air.
 Air normally does not contain carbon monoxide.
 Highly poisonous in nature.

Laboratory preparation

Conc. H2SO4
Reaction: HCOOH CO + H2 O
Formic acid Carbon monoxide

Conc. H2SO4 is a dehydrating agent and removes a molecule of water from formic acid

Purification: CO is passed through caustic potash solution (KOH) which absorbs any
CO2 formed.

Collection: CO is collected by downward displacement of water as it is almost insoluble

in water and as heavy as air.

Physical properties
 Colourless, odourless, tasteless and highly poisonous gas.
 Almost as heavy as air. (V.D of air = 14.4 ; V.D of CO = 14)
 Very slightly soluble in water.
 Liquefies under high pressure and low temperature.
 Boiling point is -192 .

Chemical properties
 Combustible (burns with a pale blue flame) but non-supporter of combustion.
 Does not undergo thermal decomposition.
 Neutral to litmus.

Chemical Reactions
1. With oxygen
2CO + O2 → 2CO2 + ∆
Carbon dioxide

2. With hydrogen
CO + 2H2 → CH3OH
450 Methyl alcohol

3. With nickel
Ni + 4CO Ni(CO)4
Nickel carbonyl

4. With steam
Fe2O3
CO + H2O → CO2 + H2
(Steam)
 5. With Ammoniacal copper [I] chloride
CuCl + CO + 2H2O → CuCl.CO.2H2O
Addition product

6. Reducing reactions (heated metal oxides to metals)

PbO + CO → Pb + CO2
ZnO + CO → Zn + CO2
Fe2O3 + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO2

Test for CO
 CO when passed through lime water does not produce milkiness.
 On ignition it burns forming CO2 which on passage through lime water turns it
milky.
Uses
 As a fuel
 In the extraction of metals from their ores
 Preparation of methyl alcohol.

Poisonous nature
 When carbon or its compounds burn in a limited supply of air carbon monoxide is
produced.
 If carbon monoxide is inhaled, it combines with the haemoglobin present in the
blood cells of our body to form a stable compound called carboxyl-haemoglobin.
 This does not allow blood to absorb oxygen thereby depriving our body cells of
oxygen.
 Asphyxia is an extreme condition caused by lack of oxygen resulting in
unconsciousness, suffocation and death. Hence, it is dangerous
 To sleep in a closed room with a fuel burning.
 To be in the vicinity of smokers.
 To stand in a garage with an automobile engine running.

Precautions taken in case of CO poisoning

 The victim should be given artificial respiration with carbogen (95% O2 and 5%
CO2).
 Factory workers should be made to wear a gas mask made of hopcalite (50%
MnO2, 30% CuO, 13% CoO, 7% Ag2O).

Questions
1. Name the following
a) A mixture used to give artificial respiration for a victim of carbon monoxide
poisoning.
b) Stable compound formed when CO combines with haemoglobin.
c) Gas mask worn by factory workers to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning is
made of
2. State the role of conc. H2SO4 in the laboratory preparation of carbon monoxide.
3. Give reason:
a) It is dangerous to stand in a garage with automobile engine running.
b) Lime water finds application for testing both carbon dioxide and carbon
monoxide gas individually.
4. Complete and balance the equations:
a) CO + H2 →
b) Ni + CO →
c) Fe2O3 + CO →
5. Give the balanced chemical equations for
a) Laboratory preparation of carbon monoxide
b) Reaction of carbon monoxide with steam
c) Reaction of carbon monoxide with ammoniacal cuprous chloride

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