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Carbon Facts & Worksheets

Carbon is a chemical element with the symbol C and the atomic number 6. Carbon, which is categorized as a nonmetal, is a solid at ambient or room temperature.

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Carbon is a chemical element with the symbol C and the atomic number 6. Carbon, which is categorized as a nonmetal, is a solid at ambient or room temperature.

See the fact file below for more information on Carbon, or you can download our 29-page Carbon worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

DISCOVERY

  • Since ancient times, carbon has been recognized to exist in the forms of soot, charcoal, graphite, and diamonds. Of course, ancient cultures were unaware that these substances were distinct variations of the same element.
  • Scientist Antoine Lavoisier, the first person to work with charcoal made by fire, discovered carbon as an element. As a result, carbon was one of a select few elements that were well-known to people in ancient times, along with sulfur, iron, tin, lead, copper, mercury, silver, and gold.
  • In order to understand carbon, Lavoisier performed a number of experiments.
  • The chemical element carbon occurs in pure or almost pure forms. In the past, carbon was identified as charcoal, and its name is taken from the Latin word “carbo,” which was supported by Antoine Lavoisier in 1789.

CHARACTERISTICS

  • As a teratogen, carbon (symbol C) belongs to the fourth group of the periodic system of elements. It belongs to the second period because it is the first element within this group. It is a non-metal and has the atomic number 6. 
  • The boiling point of carbon is 4,827°C, and its melting point is 3,550°C. The thermal breakdown of sucrose in the absence of oxygen can be used to create chemically pure carbon in a laboratory setting. The crystal structure of the element carbon affects both its physical and chemical properties.
  • Most pure carbon is found in crystalline form, where it is modified to either produce graphite or diamonds. The hardest material known to man, a diamond is also used for cutting in addition to being utilized as a gem. 
  • The thermodynamically stable form of pure carbon is graphite, which is stable at normal pressures and temperatures. It is utilized as an electrode in the electronic industry due to its conductivity.
  • Soot is another name for carbon in its less crystalline state. Most of the time, soot is a byproduct of combustion. Regular soot inhalation can cause heart damage and pneumoconiosis. 
  • Additionally, evidence-based research on workers who have direct physical contact with carbon particles has indicated that individuals may develop lesions on the oral mucosa and inflammation of the hair follicles.

USES OF CARBON

  • Metal smelting uses impure carbon in the form of coke made from coal and charcoal made from wood. It is crucial for the iron and steel industries in particular. 
  • Graphite is utilized in furnace linings, electric motor brushes, and pencils. Meanwhile, activated charcoal is employed in filtering and purification processes.
  • In addition to food and wood, carbon can also be found in the form of hydrocarbons like fossil fuel, methane gas, and crude oil. 
  • Since carbon fibers are strong, lightweight, and long-lasting materials, they have a variety of purposes. These fibers are utilized in the construction of fishing rods, rockets, airplanes, and tennis rackets. Additionally, rocks are drilled and sliced using industrial diamonds.
  • The capacity of carbon to create securely linked chains enclosed by hydrogen atoms makes it unique among the elements. 
  • The petrochemical industries use a tiny but significant amount of carbon as a feedstock for producing polymers, fibers, paints, solvents, plastics, and many other products.
  • Life, on the other hand, cannot exist without carbon due to its ability to create a vast array of chains with various lengths. 
  • It was once believed that only living beings could provide the carbon-based chemicals necessary for life and that they held a “spark of life.” 
  • The carbon cycle is crucial to ecosystems because it moves carbon, a substance necessary for life, from the atmosphere and seas to animals and back again. 
  • Scientists are examining how people might use different fuels that don’t contain carbon to generate power.
  • Nearly 90% of the carbon in living things comes from carbon dioxide found in the atmosphere or dissolved in water. 
  • Green plants and photosynthetic plankton use the energy of the sun to divide water into oxygen and hydrogen during photosynthesis. 
  • When hydrogen and carbon dioxide combine to form carbohydrates, oxygen is released into the atmosphere, freshwater bodies, and oceans.

DANGERS OF CARBON

  • The toxicity of elemental carbon is extremely low. Data on health risks is based on exposures to carbon black, not elemental carbon, as is typically the case. Chronic inhalation of carbon black may harm the heart and lungs in the short or long term.
  • Additionally, carbon dioxide controls how much water vapor is present in the atmosphere and, consequently, how big of a greenhouse effect it has.
  • Earth is currently warming as a result of rising carbon dioxide emissions. Ocean heat absorption prevents greenhouse warming from occurring immediately.
  • Similar to handling glass fibers, handling carbon fibers poses major health risks due to mechanical abrasion and irritation. 
  • When stretched, carbon fibers are easily broken; during cutting, machining, or mechanical finishing, they can turn into a fine dust that can disperse into the atmosphere.
  • If left unchecked, these microfibers can attach to human skin or mucous membranes and irritate them.
  • Additionally, moist activated carbon takes oxygen from the air preferentially. The oxygen depletion may reach dangerous levels in closed or partially closed containers and vessels

SAFETY MEASURES

  • Every time carbon fiber is utilized, it should be kept as clean as possible to prevent producing dust and fly ash. Since carbon fiber is most brittle when unpacked or processed, it is crucial to handle it with care. 
  • Controlling any dust or fly ash generated by the material can be accomplished using appropriate cleaning techniques, such as an air ejector cleaner. This helps to prevent the fibers from spreading to unwanted areas.
  • If it is necessary to enter a vessel containing activated carbon, certain work procedures, including regional regulations for possibly low-oxygen environments, should be followed.
  • It is crucial to protect your eyes and throat from any dangerous carbon particles. 
  • To avoid inhaling dust, users must wear full goggles and a dust mask.
  • Masks for dust particles must be fitted to the wearer. If there is dust, protective clothing should be used, such as while machining. Protective clothing has elastic cuffs that prevent dust from entering protective suits.

Carbon Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Carbon across 29 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Carbon, a chemical element with the symbol C and the atomic number 6. Carbon, which is categorized as a nonmetal, is a solid at ambient or room temperature.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Carbon Facts
  2. Carbon Summarized
  3. Carbon History
  4. Carbon Cycle
  5. Carbon Compounds
  6. Carbon Compounds II
  7. Uses of Carbon
  8. Carbon Dangers
  9. Beware of these Signs
  10. Climate Care
  11. Acrostic Carbon

Frequently Asked Questions

What is carbon?

Carbon is a chemical element with the symbol C and atomic number 6. It is a nonmetal that is essential to life on Earth and is the fourth most abundant element in the universe.

How is carbon used in everyday life?

Carbon has many practical applications in everyday life. It is used as a fuel source, for example,l in the form of coal or natural gas, to power homes and industries. Carbon is also a key component of many materials, such as graphite, which is used in pencils, and diamond, which is used in jewelry. Carbon is also an important element in our food, as it forms the basis of organic molecules like proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.

What is the carbon cycle?

The carbon cycle is the process by which carbon is cycled through the Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, and land. Carbon constantly moves between these three spheres in various forms, such as carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere, dissolved carbon in the ocean, and organic matter in soils and living organisms. Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, are altering the balance of the carbon cycle and leading to increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations.

How does carbon contribute to climate change?

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, contributing to the warming of the planet. Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, are releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which is leading to an increase in global temperatures and changes in weather patterns. This phenomenon is known as climate change, and it is one of the most pressing environmental issues facing the world today.

What are some ways to reduce carbon emissions?

Reducing carbon emissions is essential to addressing climate change. Some ways to reduce carbon emissions include transitioning to renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, improving energy efficiency in homes and buildings, promoting sustainable transportation options like biking and public transit, and investing in reforestation and other land use practices that remove carbon from the atmosphere. Additionally, individuals can reduce their carbon footprint by making small changes to their daily habits, such as turning off lights when they’re not in use, using reusable bags and containers, and eating a more plant-based diet.

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Link will appear as Carbon Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, March 2, 2023

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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