Carbon Dioxide

Carbon dioxide is the most common carbon compound. Two carbon compounds, carbon dioxide and methane, are among the gasses commonly found in the earth's atmosphere.

Common Carbon Containing Gases - Carbon Dioxide and Methane

There are a couple of carbon containing gasses in the earth's atmosphere. They are carbon dioxide and methane (also known as natural gas). Although the portions tend to get lost among the vast quantities of nitrogen and oxygen, the carbon gasses can be concentrated and applied in many useful ways.

Carbon 's role on Earth

Carbon 's most critical role on earth is its place in life forms, both plant and animal life. Every living cell is built from molecules that include carbon and hydrogen atoms. Every organic molecule from human brain cells to gasoline are structures that include carbon atoms.

Historical background of Carbon

Applications of charcoal, coal, and soot reach back into prehistoric times. Diamonds have been known as precious gems from the times of the earliest written records. These are all forms of natural carbon. There is no way that the discovery of element 6, carbon, can be attributed to an individual.

The history of carbon is largely concerned with the chemistry of the late 1700s. During this time, several renowned chemists were able to show that amorphous carbon (also known as soot, or lampblack), graphite, and diamond were simply different forms of the same element.