State two characteristic features of carbon which when put together give rise to a large number of carbon compounds.
State two characteristic features of carbon which when put together give rise to a large number of carbon compounds.
The two characteristic features of carbon which, when put together, give rise to a large number of carbon compounds are:
- Catenation: The unique ability of carbon to form bonds with other atoms of carbon, giving rise to large molecules in the form of long chains, branched chains, or rings.
- Tetravalency: Since carbon has a valency of four, it is capable of bonding with four other atoms of carbon or atoms of some other mono-valent elements (like hydrogen, chlorine, etc.).
Marking Scheme
- 10.5 marks for identifying Catenation.
- 20.5 marks for identifying Tetravalency.
Hint
Think about carbon's ability to link with itself and its specific valency that allows it to form four bonds.
Quick Oral Answer
The two features are catenation and tetravalency. Catenation is carbon's ability to form long chains or rings by bonding with other carbon atoms, and tetravalency means it has four valence electrons available for bonding with other atoms.
Analysis & Explanation
As per the NCERT text in Section 4.2, the 'Versatile Nature of Carbon' is attributed to two main factors. First, catenation allows carbon to link with itself to form stable, long-chain structures because the bond is very strong. Second, its tetravalency allows it to bond with a variety of other elements. The text explicitly states that these two features 'put together give rise to a large number of compounds,' which outnumber compounds formed by all other elements combined.
Common Mistakes
- 1Mentioning only one property instead of two.
- 2Confusing catenation with isomerism.
- 3Describing the properties without naming the terms 'catenation' and 'tetravalency'.
Interesting Facts
The number of carbon compounds known to chemists is estimated to be in the millions, which is significantly more than the compounds of all other elements put together.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many marks does this question carry in CBSE Class 10 Science 2010?
This question carries 1 mark in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2010 examination.
Which chapter does this question come from in Science?
This question is from the chapter "Carbon and its Compounds" in the CBSE Class 10 Science syllabus.
What topic does this question cover in Science?
This question covers the topic "Versatile Nature of Carbon" from CBSE Class 10 Science.
What type of question is this in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2010 paper?
This is a Very Short Answer question from Section A in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2010 paper.