Carbon (from Latin:carbo "coal") is a chemical element with symbol C and atomic number 6. On the periodic table, it is the first (row 2) of six elements in column (group) 14, which have in common the composition of their outer electron shell. It is nonmetallic and tetravalent—making four electrons available to form covalent chemical bonds.
Three reasons Carbon stands out
- 1
Forms the basis of organic chemistry.
- 2
Diamond and graphite are both made entirely of this element, just arranged differently.
- 3
Its radioactive isotope is used to date ancient artefacts up to about 50,000 years old.
One element, radically different materials
Diamond, graphite, graphene, soot, and charcoal are all forms of carbon, distinguished by how their atoms connect. Carbon’s four bonding sites support chains, rings, sheets, and three-dimensional frameworks. That versatility is why carbon chemistry can describe both living cells and advanced engineered materials.