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1. It can form bonds with up to four other atoms;

2. Its bond energy to other carbon atoms is not very much weaker than its bond energy with oxygen.

For a much fuller discussion of why both these things are important, see "The One and Only" by Isaac Asimov. You can find it in the collection The Tragedy of the Moon. (Or, if you're lucky enough to have a copy of the November 1972 issue of The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, it's in there too.)

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Is carbon unusual among the elements in that it forms very few compounds with other elements?

No, carbon is not unusual in forming few compounds with other elements. In fact, carbon is known for its ability to form a wide variety of compounds with other elements due to its versatile bonding capabilities. Carbon can form numerous compounds with many different elements, giving rise to the complexity and diversity found in organic chemistry.


What compounds can carbon make?

Carbon can form a wide variety of compounds, including hydrocarbons (such as methane and benzene), organic compounds (such as carbohydrates and proteins), as well as inorganic compounds (such as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide). Carbon can also form covalent bonds with other elements to create countless compounds due to its ability to bond with other carbon atoms and a variety of other elements.


What are some compounds that form when carbon combines with other elements?

Some compounds formed when carbon combines with other elements include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), carbon monoxide (CO), and calcium carbonate (CaCO3).


What element other than Carbon has atoms that will react with other elements to form a variety of compounds?

There are very many elements which will do that.


What are the inorganic elements?

All elements other than carbon are likely to form inorganic compounds, and even carbon is at least sometimes found in inorganic compounds such as calcium carbonate.


Does carbon react with other chemicals?

Yes, carbon can react with other chemicals to form a wide variety of compounds. Its ability to form bonds with other elements allows for the formation of organic and inorganic compounds.


Can uranium be combine?

Yes, uranium can combine with other elements to form compounds. It can form compounds with elements such as oxygen, carbon, and fluorine, among others. These compounds are important in various industrial applications, such as in nuclear energy production.


Carbon atoms readily join with atoms of?

other elements to form a wide variety of compounds, due to their ability to form multiple bonds. This helps create the diversity of organic molecules found in nature, with carbon serving as the backbone of these compounds.


Which element forms more compounds than all the other elements combined?

Carbon can form more compounds than all other elements combined due to its ability to bond with a wide variety of other elements, forming strong and stable covalent bonds. This versatility allows carbon to form the basis of organic chemistry, resulting in a vast array of compounds.


Can boron combine with other elements?

Yes, boron can combine with other elements to form compounds. It can form a variety of compounds with elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon. These boron-containing compounds have various industrial and scientific applications.


Are most nonmetals able to form compounds with other elements?

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Will tantalum combine with other elements?

Yes, tantalum can combine with other elements to form compounds. It is a reactive metal that can react with elements like oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, and others to form various compounds, depending on the conditions and the nature of the other elements involved.