#C September 12

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For the month of September 2024 several of us are going to take on the 30-Day Periodic Elements Coach4aday Challenge. The concept is to show the symbol of one of the 118 elements and give a few facts about it. Today I have chosen C

C is the symbol for Carbon.

Elements 30-Day Challenge Guidelines

Like previous challenges there are no hard and fast rules to participate. There are a few suggested guidelines.

1. Each day in September 2024 show the symbol for one particular element.
2. Share at least one fact about that element
3. If so inclined use the hash tag #Coach4adayChallenge on social media platforms

September 12th-C

Here are three facts about Carbon.

Building Block of Life: Carbon is the fundamental building block of all known life forms. It forms the backbone of biological molecules like proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). Carbon’s ability to form stable bonds with many elements, including itself, allows for the diversity of organic molecules that make up living organisms.

Different Allotropes: Carbon exists in several different forms (allotropes), the most well-known being diamond, graphite, and graphene. Diamond is the hardest known natural material, while graphite is soft and slippery, making it useful as a lubricant and in pencils. Graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice, is incredibly strong and conducts electricity, with promising applications in electronics.

Key Player in Climate Change: Carbon dioxide (CO₂), a compound containing carbon, is one of the major greenhouse gases contributing to climate change. It is released through natural processes, such as respiration and volcanic eruptions, but human activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation have dramatically increased CO₂ levels, trapping heat in the Earth’s atmosphere and causing global warming.