The Chemistry of Carbon

Organic chemistry is easy to explain, but it's one of the largest fields of chemistry that exists on Earth. Basically, organic chemists study every compound that has a carbon (C) atom in it. That's all. That's all? They also study all of the reactions, structures and special qualities of carbon.

Organic chemistry might only be big on our planet. Life on Earth is based on carbon compounds. O-chem crosses over into almost every field of chemistry (except inorganic chemistry). So, when we say it's big here, we really mean it. By now you have an idea that all life on Earth depends on compounds with carbon atoms. Other planets may have life based on silicon (Si) or have environments based on sulfur (S). Did you know that some organisms can survive with reactions that include hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) instead of water (H₂O)? Scientists are looking at similar organisms at the bottom of the ocean and in aquatic areas without oxygen (anoxic).

Biochem Versus O-Chem

Ahhh, the battle of the heavyweights. It is true that almost all compounds in biochemistry have carbon. There are also many more activities on Earth that use carbon and have nothing to do with life. Look at the series of minerals called carbonates (-CO₃). They all have carbon compounds that mix with trace elements. Some examples are Calcite, Dolomite, and Smithsonite. Even geologists need to understand chemistry.

The Chemistry of Art

What if you love making art? Can you escape organic chemistry? Ummm... Probably. But the people who make your materials will not. You need to understand chemistry to make different types of paints and chemicals you will use every day in the studio. If you paint, you will definitely hear about titanium (Ti) white, cobalt (Co) blue, and cadmium (Cd) red. While not all of those pigments have carbon compounds, you definitely be using mediums and solvents when you work with the paints. That's all organic chemistry.

RELATED LINKS

- Biology4Kids: Scientific Method
- Geography4Kids: Science Instruments
- Geography4Kids: Climatology
- Geography4Kids: Ecology
- Physics4Kids: Temperature Scales

- International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry
- American Chemical Society

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