Carbon: The Magical Element of Earth

Coal, pencil lead, lime, chalk, marble, the gas in cold drinks, and even million-dollar diamonds are all made of Carbon. Carbon is even present in our bodies. It makes up a large part of every animal and plant. While there are many minerals and gases on Earth, carbon exists everywhere in one form or another. The fundamental source of carbon is the rocks within the Earth's crust.

Scientists have identified carbon as a unique substance because it can form the longest chains of molecules. This allows it to be used in many ways. It mixes easily with other elements to form new substances: With Calcium, it forms Carbonate (found in chalk and marble). With Hydrogen, it forms Hydrocarbons (like petrol, rubber, and gas).

Over millions of years, the remains of plants and animals buried underground turn into rock. Under extreme pressure and heat, coal can turn into a diamond, though it remains pure carbon. A diamond is the hardest form of carbon, while chalk is one of the softest. In living beings, carbon is the main foundation of cell structure. Even glucose, which gives our bodies energy, is a combination of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. The human body is about 18% carbon.