Karen A. Beitler
Carbon's atomic number is 6, with 2 electrons in the first orbit around the nucleus; the remaining 4 occupy a second orbit. Carbon is likely to want to share electrons because of the four open spaces needed to form an octet, full valence shell. Carbon is very "friendly" with other elements especially hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen and is neither electronegative nor electropositive. Large organic molecules like carbohydrates, lipids and proteins are made combinations of these molecules and along nucleic acids are the building blocks of all living things.
Carbon also likes to bond to itself and is known to form double and triple bonds, which contribute to unique properties. This means that carbon can bond indefinitely, allowing for huge molecules with high molecular mass that can be arranged in a countless number of ways. At Penn State, Dr. Patricia A. Bianconi reasoned that man could make diamonds from charcoal if the right conditions were met. With all the ways carbon can bond, if enough heat and pressure were applied highly concentrated molecules with high molecular weight can be formed. Carbon can become a diamond. Diamonds are the hardest of all substances and are useful in many ways. Unlike diamonds, hydrocarbon polymers can combust and therefore provide heat and energy when combusted. Combustion includes the addition of oxygen generates heat and light in the form of a flame. The byproducts of combustion of hydrocarbons are carbon dioxide and water, which are, unfortunately, pollutants when there is too much.