2006-12-15 04:04:40 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
History and Etymology:
Carbon was discovered in prehistory and was known to the ancients, who manufactured it by burning organic material in insufficient oxygen (making charcoal). It is also found in abundance in the sun, stars, comets, and atmospheres of most planets. Carbon in the form of microscopic diamonds is found in some meteorites.
Natural diamonds are found in kimberlite of ancient volcanic "pipes," found in South Africa, Arkansas, and elsewhere. Diamonds are now also being recovered from the ocean floor off the Cape of Good Hope. About 30% of all industrial diamonds used in the U.S. are now made synthetically.
The energy of the sun and stars can be attributed at least in part to the well-known carbon-nitrogen cycle.
The name of Carbon comes from Latin carbo, whence comes French charbone, meaning charcoal. In German and Dutch, the names for carbon are Kohlenstoff and koolstof respectively, both literally meaning "coal-stuff".
2006-12-15 04:08:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Carbon is made by the incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons from natural gas or oil. Over 90% is used in the rubber industries to make car tyres. Its other main use is in newspaper ink.
In 1988, 605,000 tonnes of natural graphite were mined (China 31%, South Kores 17%, the USSR 14%, Brazil 8% and Mexico 7%). This is usually found as a mixture with mica, quartz and silicates, which contain 10-60% Carbon.
2006-12-15 04:11:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
carbon is what makes up everything (rocks people plants) because it has the ability to bond to 4 other things meaning it can create long chains of atoms joining. So carbon is like the bridge holding it all up. If you look at a fatty acid molecule, or a glucose molecule youll see what i mean.
Sci-fi writers imagine that aliens could be Silicon based, becasue silicon can cause these long chains also - so could in theory be the building blocks of organisms
Carbon is great.
2006-12-17 03:54:54 · answer #3 · answered by mark_gg_daniels 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't think you're interested in the history of Carbon in terms of where it comes from or you'd ask a more general question about elements. I think you want to know about the carbon cycle in the environment. Frankly it sounds like you're just trying to get us to do your homework for you. Thats not what this is for.
2006-12-15 04:28:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
The history of carbon is pretty well the history of all material things since the material universe came into existence.
2006-12-15 04:07:05 · answer #5 · answered by Tony B 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
the history of carbon
2006-12-15 04:06:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 3⤋
From the begeinning of time, carbon was. It is the basis for life.
2006-12-15 04:06:46 · answer #7 · answered by science teacher 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Why can't you ask more politely if you want someone to do your homework?
2006-12-17 12:02:32 · answer #8 · answered by Birdman 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It goes back a long way and was once trees....
2006-12-15 04:47:50 · answer #9 · answered by coxon the box 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
it's old and black
2006-12-15 04:06:16 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋