szün

Carbon, also known as szén in Hungarian, is a chemical element with the symbol C and atomic number 6. It is nonmetallic and tetravalent, meaning it forms four covalent bonds with other atoms. Carbon is the fourth most abundant element in the universe by mass and the second most abundant element in the human body. It is essential for life and is a key component of all known life forms.

Carbon exists in several allotropes, including diamond, graphite, graphene, and fullerenes. Diamond is the hardest natural substance known, while graphite is soft and slippery. Graphene, a single layer of graphite, is the thinnest known material and has exceptional strength and electrical conductivity. Fullerenes are molecules composed entirely of carbon, in the form of a hollow sphere, ellipsoid, or tube.

Carbon is also a key component of many organic compounds, which are compounds that contain carbon and hydrogen. These include carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, which are the building blocks of life. Carbon is also used in various industrial applications, such as in the production of steel, cement, and synthetic fibers.

Carbon has several isotopes, with the most common being carbon-12 and carbon-13. Carbon-14 is a radioactive isotope that is used in radiocarbon dating to determine the age of ancient artifacts and fossils. Carbon is also a major component of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, which contribute to global warming.