Question

Write a short note on versatile nature of carbon for 5marks question

Answer 1

The versatile nature of carbon due to the presence of covalent bond enables it to form a large number of compounds.

(i) Carbon due to its property of catenation possesses a unique ability to form bonds with other atoms of carbon, giving rise to large number of molecules and compounds having long chains of carbon, branched chains of carbon or carbon atoms arranged in rings and linked by single, double or triple bonds.(ii) Carbon being tetravalent is capable of bonding with four other atoms of carbon or any other combining mono-valent element.

(iii) Carbon forms compounds with oxygen (Carbon-dioxide), hydrogen (Methane), nitrogen (Hydrogen cyanide), sulphur, chlorine (Chloromethane) and many other elements giving rise to compounds with specific properties depending upon the elements present in the compound.(iv) The compounds formed are stable due to their strong bonds as a result of its small size which enables the nucleus to hold the shared pair of electrons firmly.

Answer 2

Write a short note on versatile nature of carbon.

❶❭ Catenation

The linking of identical items together to form long chains.

Chain may be straight, branched & closed.

Ex: Silicon, Sulphur, oxygen & Phosphorus

❷❭ Tetravalency

The ability to link other atoms by four covalent bonds

Ex: Hydrogen & Chlorine

❸❭ Multiple Bonding

The ability to form double of triple bonds with itself or with other atoms.

Ex: Oxygen, Nitrogen & Sulphur