(a) What is the atomic number of carbon? Write its electronic configuration.
(b) What type of chemical bonds are formed by carbon? Why?
(c) Name the three allotropic forms of carbon.
(a) The atomic number of carbon is 6.
Its electronic configuration is K = 2, L= 4.
(b) Carbon always forms covalent bonds. This is because it is tetravalent and attain the inert gas configuration of 8 electrons in its outermost shell by sharing electrons.
(c) The three allotropic forms of carbon are:
(i) Diamond
(ii) Graphite
(iii) Buckminsterfullerene