Overview of Carbon

• Carbon is a highly versatile element, integral to many processes, particularly in living organisms.

Structure of an Atom

• Every atom consists of three main subatomic particles:

  • Protons: Positively charged particles found in the nucleus.

  • Neutrons: Neutral particles also located in the nucleus.

  • Electrons: Negatively charged particles that orbit the nucleus.

Atomic Models

• The Bore model is a traditional representation of an atom.

  • Depicts electrons moving in orbits around the nucleus.

Valence Electrons and Chemical Reactions

• Only outermost electrons, known as valence electrons, are involved in forming molecules or compounds when atoms interact.

• The interaction of these valence electrons dictates how atoms bond with each other to create various substances.

  • Valence shell: The outermost electron shell of an atom where bonding occurs.

• Understanding valence electrons is crucial in predicting the behavior of atoms during chemical reactions and their ability to form different compounds.

Importance of Carbon's Versatility

• Carbon's ability to form a wide variety of compounds is largely due to its four valence electrons, allowing it to form stable bonds with many elements.

• This property is essential for the complexity of organic molecules, making carbon fundamental to life as we know it.