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Carbon Compounds
Carbon is a versatile element because it can bond with itself and many different elements to create diverse compounds. Carbon atoms can attach to one another in rings or chains, as well as with elements of oxygen, nitrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, sulfur, and phosphorus. Due to the strength of carbon bonds, they give off a large amount of energy when broken, and this is why carbon serves as an excellent fuel source.
Two categories of carbon-based fuels are organic matter and hydrocarbons. Click on each picture to learn more:
Organic Matter
Carbon atoms are components of many important molecules for life: sugars, proteins, fats, and DNA.
Hydrocarbons
Carbon atoms combine with hydrogen atoms to create many important fuels.
Sources:
Lutz, P. 2005. "Carbon". Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2005.
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