Science Class 10 - Carbon And-Its-Compounds Notes

Carbon and Its Compounds

Welcome to the chapter on Carbon and Its Compounds for Class 10. In this chapter, you will learn about the unique properties of carbon, the different types of carbon compounds, and their importance in daily life. By the end of this chapter, you will understand why carbon is called the "element of life" and how its compounds are used all around us.

Key Concepts

• Carbon: A non-metal element with atomic number 6, found in all living things.
• Covalent Bond: A bond formed when two atoms share electrons.
• Allotropes: Different forms of the same element. Carbon has allotropes like diamond, graphite, and fullerenes.
• Hydrocarbons: Compounds made of only carbon and hydrogen.
• Functional Groups: Specific groups of atoms that give compounds their properties (e.g., alcohol, carboxylic acid).

Unique Properties of Carbon

• Catenation: Carbon can form long chains and rings by bonding with other carbon atoms.
• Tetravalency: Carbon has four valence electrons, so it forms four covalent bonds.
• Formation of Multiple Bonds: Carbon can form single, double, or triple bonds with other atoms.

Allotropes of Carbon

• Diamond: Hardest natural substance, used in cutting tools and jewelry.
• Graphite: Soft, slippery, conducts electricity, used in pencils and as a lubricant.
• Fullerenes: Molecules shaped like spheres or tubes (e.g., buckyballs, nanotubes).

Hydrocarbons

• Alkanes: Saturated hydrocarbons (single bonds), e.g., methane (CH₄), ethane (C₂H₆).
• Alkenes: Unsaturated hydrocarbons (at least one double bond), e.g., ethene (C₂H₄).
• Alkynes: Unsaturated hydrocarbons (at least one triple bond), e.g., ethyne (C₂H₂).

Functional Groups in Carbon Compounds

• Alcohol (-OH): Example: Ethanol (C₂H₅OH)
• Carboxylic Acid (-COOH): Example: Acetic acid (CH₃COOH)
• Aldehyde (-CHO): Example: Formaldehyde (HCHO)
• Ketone (C=O): Example: Acetone (CH₃COCH₃)

Important Carbon Compounds

• Soap and Detergents: Used for cleaning.
• Alcohols: Used in medicines and as fuel.
• Plastics: Made from carbon compounds, used in daily life.
• Fuels: Petrol, diesel, LPG are carbon-based fuels.

Practice Questions

1. What is catenation? Give an example.
2. Name two allotropes of carbon and one use of each.
3. Write the general formula for alkanes.
4. What is the functional group in alcohols?
5. Why is graphite used in pencils?

Challenge Yourself

• Draw the structure of methane (CH₄) and ethene (C₂H₄).
• List three uses of carbon compounds in daily life.

Did You Know?

• Diamond and graphite are both made of carbon, but look and behave very differently!
• Fullerenes were discovered only in 1985 and are used in nanotechnology.

Glossary

• Catenation: The ability of carbon to form long chains and rings with itself.
• Allotrope: Different forms of the same element.
• Hydrocarbon: Compound made of only carbon and hydrogen.
• Functional Group: A group of atoms that gives a compound its properties.

Answers to Practice Questions

1. Catenation is the ability of carbon to form long chains or rings by bonding with itself. Example: Hexane (C₆H₁₄).
2. Diamond (used in jewelry), Graphite (used in pencils).
3. CnH_2n+2
4. -OH (hydroxyl group)
5. Because it is soft and leaves a mark on paper.

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Carbon compounds are everywhere! Explore their uses and importance in your daily life.