CARBON

¿WHAT IS CARBON?

Carbon (from Latin: Carbo) is a chemical element of atomic number 6, atomic mass 12.01, symbol C. As a member of the carbonide group of the periodic table of elements. It is solid at room temperature. Depending on the formation conditions, it can be found in nature in various alotropic forms, amorphous and crystalline carbon in the form of graphite or diamond respectively. It is the basic pillar of organic chemistry; About 16 million carbon compounds are known, increasing this number by about 500,000 compounds per year. It forms 0.2% of the earth's crust.

The isotope

The isotope 11C has neutrons at its nucleus. The isotope C has 9 neutrons in its nucleus. All carbon isotopes have 6 protons. Therefore, its atomic mass will depend on the number of neutrons, and the sum of protons + neutrons will give us the desired isotope.

-Characteristics

Carbon is an element remarkable for several reasons. Its alotropic forms include one of the softest substances (graphite) and one of the hardest (the diamond) and, from the economic point of view, is cheaper materials (coal) and one of the most expensive ( Diamond). Moreover, it has a high affinity for chemically bonding with other small atoms, including other carbon atoms with which it can form long chains, and its small atomic radius allows it to form multiple bonds. Thus, with oxygen forms carbon dioxide, vital for the growth of plants (see carbon cycle); With hydrogen it forms numerous compounds denominated generically hydrocarbons, essential for the industry and the transport in the form of fossil fuels; And combined with oxygen and hydrogen form a wide variety of compounds, such as essential fatty acids for life, and esters that give fruit flavor; It is also a , through the carbon-nitrogen cycle, of part of the energy produced by the Sun.

Aplications

The main industrial use of carbon is as a component of hydrocarbons, especially fossil fuels (petrolium and natural gas). Of petroleum, gasolines, kerosene and oils are obtained by distillation in the refineries, being also the raw material used in the production of plastics. The second is being imposed as an energy source by its cleaner combustion. We use carbon fiber in the race cars for his low weight and resistance

Carbon-14

Carbon fiber is a synthetic fiber made up of fine filaments 5-10 millimeters in diameter and composed mainly of carbon.1 Each carbon fiber is the union of miles of carbon filaments. It is a synthetic fiber because it is made from polyacrylonitrile. It has mechanical properties similar to steel and is as light as wood and plastic. Because of its hardness it has greater resistance to impact than steel.
The main application is the manufacture of composite materials, in most cases - approximately 75% - with thermosetting polymers. The polymer is usually epoxy resin, of the thermostable type, but may also be associated with other polymers, such as polyester or vinyl ester.