Uniqueness Of The Carbon Atom

University:
Colorado State University
Course:
CHEM 107 | Fundamentals of Chemistry (GT-SC2)
Academic year:

2023
Views:

74

Pages:

2
Author:

Combrad H

Uniqueness of the Carbon Atom The carbon atom has an atomic number of 6, so that in the periodic system it is located in group IVA and period 2. This situation makes the carbon atom have several features as follows. 1. Carbon Atoms Have 4 Valence Electrons Based on the configuration of the six electrons possessed by the carbon atom, it is found that it has 4 valence electrons. To achieve stability, this atom still needs 4 more electrons by means of covalent bonds. No elements from other groups can form as many as 4 covalent bonds with the octet rule. 2. Relatively Small Atoms of Carbon Elements Judging from the electron configuration, it can be seen that the carbon atom is located in period 2, which means that this atom has 2 atomic shells, so the atomic radius is relatively small. This causes the covalent bonds that are formed to be relatively strong and can form double covalent bonds. 3. Carbon Atoms Can Form Carbon Chains Such a state of carbon atoms causes carbon atoms to form very long carbon chains with covalent bonds, either single, double, or triple covalent bonds. In addition, they an also form circular (cyclic) chains. Isomers In kidrocarbon compounds known as isomers. Isomers are conditions in which compounds have the same molecular formula, but different structural formulas. Try to look at the following structure. Count the number of C atoms and H atoms in the two structures above! It turns out the number is the same right? Namely 5 atoms of C and 12 atoms of H. Also try to pay attention to the following structure. Both structures also have 4 C atoms and 8 H atoms.