10 Interesting And Fun Facts About Carbon You Must Know

Carbon is a chemical element with the chemical symbol C and atomic number 6. Carbon is an abundant element in different celestial bodies such as the Sun, stars, and comets and it is also present in the atmospheres of different planets. In this article, you will find some fun facts about carbon. 

Carbon-rich asteroids are mostly found in the outer parts of the asteroid belt in the Solar System. However, these asteroids have not yet been directly sampled by scientists and researchers. 

The uses of carbon and its compounds can be found in various fields. It can form alloys with iron and the most common alloy is carbon steel which has a broad range of applications. So, here are 10 interesting and fun facts about carbon. 

1. Carbon Is The 4th Most Abundant Element In The Universe

Carbon is the fourth most abundant element in the whole observable universe by mass after hydrogen, helium, and oxygen. It is also the 15th most abundant element of all the elements present in the Earth’s crust. However, carbon only makes up 0.032% of the Earth’s lithosphere (crust and outer mantle) by weight.

Read Also:  10 Interesting Facts About Nitrogen

fun facts about carbon

2. Carbon Can Form One Of The Hardest And One Of The Softest Substances

Diamond, a naturally occurring form of carbon or natural occurrence of carbon, is one of the hardest materials or substances on Earth. Diamonds are also one of the most common forms of carbon. Carbon can also form graphite, one of the softest substances known. 

3. Carbon Is Derived From ‘Carbo’

The word carbon is derived from the Latin word ‘carbo’, which means charcoal or coal.

Read Also:  14 Interesting Facts About Coal

4. Carbon Is Found In All Living Organisms

Carbon is found in all living things or living organisms. It is an essential element for all life forms on Earth. Carbon is also one of the most abundant elements in living organisms.

5. Carbon Is The Second Most Abundant Element In Our Body

By mass, about 18.5 percent of our body is made up of carbon. Carbon is the second most abundant element in the human body by mass after oxygen.

6. Carbon Was Created In The Stars

One of the amazing fun facts about carbon is that carbon is made in the interiors of stars, but it was not produced in the Big Bang. All of the carbon atoms in all living things were created in the stars.

7. Carbon Has A Very High Melting Point

Carbon, in its diamond form, has one of the highest melting points of all elements at about 3550°C.    

Read Also:  12 Interesting Facts About Fluorine

8. Carbon Can Form A Lot Of Compounds

Carbon can form a huge number of compounds, more than any other element. In fact, carbon can form almost ten million compounds, that we know of, and an entire branch of chemistry, known as organic chemistry, is devoted to their study.

fun facts about carbon

9. Huge Amount Of Carbon Is Released By Burning Fossil Fuels

Each year, on average, more than five and a half billion tons of carbon is released by burning fossil fuels.

Read Also:  20 Fun Facts About Natural Gas

10. Atmosphere Has Not Held This Amount Of Carbon For A Very Long Time

According to many scientists, the atmosphere has not held this huge amount of carbon for at least 420,000 years.

These are 10 interesting and fun facts about carbon. 

FAQ: 10 Interesting And Fun Facts About Carbon

As carbon is found in all living organisms, most people are very curious to know about this element. Because of that, here we have answered some of the most commonly asked questions. 

Q1. What Percent Of The Human Body Is Carbon?

Ans: Approximately 18.5 percent of our body is made up of carbon and it is the second most abundant element in our body after oxygen.

Q2. How Was Carbon Made?

Ans: Carbon was made in the interiors of stars, however, it was not produced in the Big Bang. All the carbon atoms in living things were created in the stars.

Q3. How Many Compounds Can Carbon Create?

Ans: Carbon can form a huge number of compounds, which is more than any other element. In fact, carbon can form almost ten million known compounds.

Q4. Which Form Of Carbon Has The Highest Melting Point?

Ans: Carbon, in its diamond form, has one of the highest melting points of all elements at around 3550°C.

Read Also:  10 Interesting Facts About Neon

Sayan Banerjee
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