Final answer:
Carbon has various allotropes like diamond and graphite, which exhibit unique physical properties such as hardness and electrical conductivity, respectively. Its chemical properties include its ability to react with oxygen to form CO2, showcasing its versatility in creating compounds. The physical and chemical properties of carbon are crucial for its role in technology and organic chemistry.
Step-by-step explanation:
Carbon is a nonmetal element with multiple allotropes each exhibiting unique physical and chemical properties. The two well-known forms of carbon are diamond and graphite. Diamond is known for its extreme hardness and high melting point, making it valuable not only as a gemstone but also for industrial applications. On the contrary, graphite is soft, used as the "lead" in pencils, and is a good electrical conductor. Carbon in both forms maintains the same elemental composition, demonstrating how the arrangement of atoms can lead to different physical properties.
When evaluating the properties of carbon, it’s important to distinguish between physical and chemical properties. Physical changes, such as smashing a piece of charcoal into a powder, don't alter the chemical composition of carbon. In contrast, chemical properties involve reactivity with other substances such as oxygen to form carbon dioxide (CO2), which indicates a chemical change. Carbon's ability to form a vast array of compounds highlights its chemical versatility, which is essential in fields like organic chemistry.
Carbon is also present in multiple other forms, some recently discovered, including charcoal, carbon black, coke, fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, and graphene, each with distinct physical properties. The discovery and exploration of these forms have led to many technological advancements in materials science.