Hiiltä

Hiiltä is the Finnish term for the chemical element carbon. Carbon has the symbol C and atomic number 6. It is a nonmetal central to organic chemistry and life, capable of forming diverse structures by bonding with itself and with many other elements. Carbon occurs in several allotropes, most notably diamond (a hard, three-dimensionally bonded lattice) and graphite (soft, layered and electrically conductive along the planes). Other forms include graphene, fullerenes, and various amorphous carbons such as charcoal and coal.

Natural occurrence and cycles: carbon is abundant in Earth's crust, mainly in carbonate minerals and in organic matter, and is a major component of fossil fuels. It cycles through the atmosphere and biosphere via carbon dioxide, photosynthesis, respiration, decay, and geological processes. Isotopes 12C and 13C are stable; radiocarbon 14C is radioactive and used in dating.

Uses and applications: carbon is essential in steelmaking as coke; it is used in batteries and electrochemistry (graphite electrodes and anodes), in filtration (activated carbon), and in advanced materials such as carbon fibers and nanotubes. It underpins countless organic compounds that form the basis of life and many synthetic substances.

Environmental aspects: combustion of carbon-rich fuels releases CO2, a greenhouse gas that influences climate. Carbon monoxide can be produced by incomplete combustion and is toxic.

History and terminology: the element was identified and described in the 18th century. In Finnish, hiili refers to carbon, with hiiltä being the inflected form used in sentences.