Carbon (C) Fun Facts
"The Shapeshifter, the ultimate hero who forms the basis of all life, appearing as the hardest diamond or the softest graphite."
The true essence of Carbon (C) on the molecular frontier.
Exists in many forms, from the transparent, hard diamond to the soft, black graphite.
The graphite ('lead') in your pencil.
The element that all known life is based on, a cornerstone of sci-fi biology.
Test your knowledge with more interactive quizzes on the periodic table.
Reinforce what you learned with quick flashcard decks.
Master the elements with smart drills and rapid-fire revision sessions.
Did You Know?
It is the fourth most abundant element in the universe and is the fundamental building block for all known life on Earth.
Carbon exists in some of the softest (graphite) and hardest (diamond) known natural forms.
It is unique in its ability to form more chemical compounds than any other element, with almost ten million compounds discovered to date.
The age of ancient organic materials can be determined by measuring the amount of the radioactive isotope Carbon-14 they contain (radiocarbon dating).
Your body is about 18.5% carbon by mass.