süsinikaatomil

süsinikaatomil is the Estonian word for a carbon atom. Carbon is a chemical element with the symbol C and atomic number 6. It is a nonmetal and belongs to the same group as silicon and germanium. Carbon is tetravalent, meaning it has four valence electrons, allowing it to form stable covalent bonds with a wide variety of other atoms. This property makes carbon the fundamental building block of all known life on Earth, forming the backbone of organic molecules such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

In its pure form, carbon exists in several allotropes, including diamond, graphite, graphene, and fullerenes. Diamond is known for its extreme hardness and high refractive index, while graphite is soft and is used as a lubricant and in pencils. Graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice, has remarkable electrical and mechanical properties. Carbon also plays a crucial role in atmospheric processes, forming carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas essential for regulating Earth's temperature but also a contributor to climate change when present in excess.

The carbon cycle is a biogeochemical cycle whereby carbon is exchanged among the biosphere, pedosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere of the Earth. This cycle is vital for life and involves processes like photosynthesis, respiration, combustion, and geological processes. The study of carbon compounds is known as organic chemistry, a vast and essential field within chemistry.

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