Is carbon an atom?

A naturally abundant, nonmetallic element that occurs in all organic compounds and can be found in all known forms of life. Diamonds and graphite are pure forms, and carbon is a major constituent of coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Carbon generally forms four covalent bonds with other atoms in larger molecules. read more

Carbon atoms are the building blocks for carbon, which is the sixth most abundant element found in the universe. A carbon atom has six electrons, four of which are in the outer shell of the atom, its valence shell. read more

Diagram of a carbon atom When a star has changed all of the hydrogen atoms into helium, it begins to convert the helium atoms into carbon atoms and oxygen atoms. All of the carbon in the universe was made inside stars. read more

Carbon atoms have six protons in the nucleus and six electrons orbiting around the nucleus. When neutrons are added to a carbon atom, it results in the creation of a carbon isotope. For instance, a carbon atom with only six neutrons is called Carbon-12, whereas an atom with eight neutrons is called Carbon-14. read more

Carbon monoxide (a carbon atom plus one oxygen atom) is an odorless gas produced from the burning of fossil fuels. Carbon monoxide kills by binding to hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying compound in the blood. read more