The electron configuration of carbon as a chemical element has the symbol C. Carbon atoms can bond with other atoms and are the most abundant compounds in the universe.
Carbon also has the simplest compounds, namely hydrocarbons. This compound is widely used by humans as the main component in petroleum and natural gas.
Carbon also has an electron configuration that can be seen from the uniqueness of this element.
Also read: How to Determine Valence Electrons in Chemistry, Here’s the Explanation!
Carbon Electron Configuration in Its Characteristics
Carbon has the atoms that make up the most compounds in the universe. This carbon is used by humans quite a lot in life.
The carbon atom itself can form single double covalent bonds, to form long straight chains. Then becapan and also circulars that became his trademark.
For covalent bonds, carbon atoms have unique properties with an electron configuration of atomic number 6. This will determine the ability of carbon atoms to form long C chains.
The carbon atom has a total of 4 valence electrons which can be covalently bonded to similar atoms or other atoms.
The next characteristic of atoms is that the bonds are saturated and not far apart. The bonded carbon atoms will consist of single, double, and triple bonds.
- Single bond: Bonding with one hand or a pair of electrons.
- Double bond: a bond with two pairs of electrons.
- Triple/double bond: a bond with three pairs of bonding electrons.
Then the characteristic of the last carbon atom is that it can form an open (aliphatic) or closed (cyclic) chain.
Aliphatic hydrocarbon compounds consist of alkane hydrocarbons (CnH2n+2), alkenes (CnH2n), and alkynes (CnH2n-2).
Also read: Properties of Ionic Compounds: The Electron Charged Part of Atoms, Here’s an Example!
Carbon Atomic Structure
Previously you already know the peculiarities of the carbon atom to determine the number of carbon electron configurations.
The carbon atom itself can bond with other atoms so its possible position in the bond chain will depend on the number.
Every possibility that exists can produce one type of compound. So, the more possibilities there are, the more types of compounds a carbon atom can form.
Possible types of atomic positions are divided into 4, namely:
- Primary carbon atom: a type of carbon atom that only bonds directly or one atom to another.
- Secondary carbon atom: a type of atom that is directly bonded to two other carbon atoms.
- Tertiary carbon atom: the type that bonds three other carbon atoms directly.
- Quaternary Carbon Atoms: the type that bonds four other carbon atoms directly.
Also read: History of the Discovery of the Electron, a Negatively Charged Subatomic Particle
You need to remember that the carbon atom is a non-metallic element in group IVA. Thus, the bonds between carbon atoms will form covalent bonds.
It is this covalent bond on the carbon atom that gives carbon a total electron configuration of 6. This is one of the characteristics of the carbon atom that is quite important for you to know. (R10/HR-Online)
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