Carbon is a non-metal,it has two types which are;
• The allotrope carbon
• The amorphous carbon
The allotrope of carbon are the crystalline forms of carbon and are divided into two examples;
• Diamond and
• Graphite
Diamond
is a colourless solid which can be turned into little jewelry. It is used to sharpen metal and can also cut other diamond as it is the hardest substance known.
Image from Pixabay
Graphite
It is a black solid used as lubricant
Without wasting much of our time I would like to talk on properties of carbon
The physical properties of carbon
All carbons (except diamond) are greyish-black or black solid.
They are odourless and tasteless.
Their melting point are very high at about 3500°c.
They are insoluble in common solvent like; water, alkalis, acids, petrol and carbon (iv) sulphide.
They are not very reactive to chemical.
The chemical properties of carbon
- Reaction in Combustion
All forms of carbon burns in excess oxygen to produce carbon(iv) oxide only, although the temperature may differ.
C(s)+O2(g) ------> CO2(g)
This shows that different allotropes are in fact forms of the same element. When the supply of air is limited, combustion may not be complete,thus, Carbon (ii) oxide is formed instead of Carbon (iv) oxide.
2CO(s)+O2 ------>2CO(g)
Reaction in Charcoal fire
Image from pixabay
As the charcoal burns, CO2 & 2CO are formed at various Level inside the charcoal stove
The pot recieves air through the aperture below the fire and also at the free surface above.
Reaction at various levels
Level C; 2CO+O2 ------>2CO2
Level B; CO2+C ------>2CO
Level A; C+O2 ------>CO2
- At level A, air is plentiful and the charcoal burn to produce Carbon (iv) oxide only.
- At level B, the middle of the charcoal heap, the air supply is very limited. As a result, the ascending CO2 from level A becomes reduced to 2CO by the Carbon.
- At level C, the air supply is again plentiful, so that the 2CO formed at level B is reoxidized to give 2CO2
Note;
Some Carbon (ii)oxide escapes oxidation and contaminates the atmosphere. This is dangerous if the area around the fire is not well ventilated because Carbon (ii) oxide is poisonous.
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