Carbon

Pure Carbon occurs naturally in 3 allotropes (different structures of the same element), graphite, diamond, and Buckminsterfullerene. However, carbon occurs much more abundantly as carbon compounds. These compounds are present almost universally in everything we see and use in our daily lives. These include coal, oil and gas as well as the organic compounds which make up all living organisms. Carbon is in group 4 in the periodic table and forms a wide variety of compounds and complexes with many elements.

Details of all material used to assemble this website can be found in the references section along with other useful links. This website is maintained by Andy May, am9535@bristol.ac.uk. It is the intellectual property of the University of Bristol School of Chemistry, and as such is protected by copyright.

Right : Michael Schumacher in the Monaco Grand Prix 2001, formula 1 cars have carbon fibre chassis due to their high strength and low weight.