carbon
Carbon has atomic number 6 and the chemical symbol C. This topic is part of Chemistry within Science & Nature. This page currently draws on 136 supporting questions, with answers and bonus facts available below.
carbon trivia questions
What is the chemical symbol for carbon?
Answer: C
Bonus fact: Carbon has atomic number 6 and the chemical symbol C.
Diamond and graphite are different structural forms of the same element. What are such forms called?
Answer: Allotropes
Bonus fact: Allotropes are different structural forms of the same element in the same physical state.
Which carbon isotope is widely used to date once-living archaeological materials?
Answer: Carbon-14
Bonus fact: Carbon-14 decays at a predictable rate and is used in radiocarbon dating.
What type of asteroid is especially rich in carbon and makes up a large fraction of known asteroids?
Answer: C-type
Bonus fact: C-type asteroids are dark, carbon-rich objects and are among the most common asteroid classes.
In chemistry, an ether contains an oxygen atom bonded to how many carbon-containing groups?
Answer: Two
Bonus fact: Ethers have the general structural pattern R–O–R′.
Iron is the main metal combined with carbon to make what common alloy?
Answer: Steel
Bonus fact: Steel is primarily an alloy of iron and carbon, often with additional elements.
Incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels can produce what poisonous gas?
Answer: Carbon monoxide
Bonus fact: Carbon monoxide forms when carbon does not fully oxidize to carbon dioxide.
What process lets yeast convert sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide without oxygen?
Answer: Fermentation
Bonus fact: Alcoholic fermentation is central to bread and brewing.
What weak acid forms when carbon dioxide dissolves in water?
Answer: Carbonic acid
Bonus fact: CO2 and water can form carbonic acid.
Unlike the carbon and nitrogen cycles, the phosphorus cycle has little major involvement with what reservoir?
Answer: Atmosphere
Bonus fact: Phosphorus cycles mainly through rocks, soil, water, and organisms.
What type of carbon-carbon bond does acetylene contain?
Answer: Triple bond
Bonus fact: Its triple bond gives acetylene high chemical energy.
Activated carbon filters are especially useful for reducing what?
Answer: Odors and some gases
Bonus fact: Porous carbon adsorbs many volatile compounds.