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Carbon has some very important properties. It forms four bonds, and that is the highest number of bonds that any element forms, which gives it the capability of forming more complicated types of molecules than most other elements. There are, of course, other elements in group 4, that also form four bonds, such as silicon. However, carbon is the lightest element in that group, as as you go down the Periodic Table to heavier elements in that group, you get lower electronegativity, or in other words more metallic type of bonding, as compared to the non-metallic type of bonding that carbon forms, and this is significant because carbon can form moderately strong bonds with various elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen (etc.) but the more metallic elements of group 4 form stronger and more permanent bonds (compare the properties of carbon dioxide and silicon dioxide - quite a difference!). So as it turns out, only carbon gives us the versatility that is needed to form the basis of biochemistry. There can be no life without carbon. It is not for nothing that Star Trek refers to humans as a carbon based life form.

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What is so special about carbon compounds that they devoted a whole branch of chemistry to it?

There are so many, many, many uncountable numbers, surely more than 10 millions different specified or classified compounds.


Branch of chemistry that deals with compounds containing carbon?

This branch is called organic chemistry.


Why do you think carbon has an entire branch of chemistry devoted to its study?

Carbon has an entire branch of chemistry, known as organic chemistry, devoted to its study because it can form stable bonds with a wide variety of elements, including itself. This versatility allows for an immense diversity of molecular structures, from simple hydrocarbons to complex biomolecules like proteins and DNA. Additionally, carbon compounds are fundamental to life as we know it, making their study crucial for understanding biological processes, materials science, and pharmaceuticals. Thus, the significance of carbon in both natural and synthetic contexts justifies the dedicated focus of an entire field of chemistry.


What are organic chemistry and inorganic chemistry?

Organic ChemistryThe branch of chemistry in which we study the compounds of carbon.Inorganic ChemistryThe study of all elements and their compounds, except compounds of carbon is called inorganic chemistry.


What does organic chemistry deal with?

Organic chemistry is the branch of chemistry that focuses on the study of carbon compounds, which are fundamental to life and form the basis of many substances, such as drugs, plastics, and fuels. It examines the structure, properties, reactions, and synthesis of organic compounds.

Related Questions

What is so special about carbon compounds that they devoted a whole branch of chemistry to it?

There are so many, many, many uncountable numbers, surely more than 10 millions different specified or classified compounds.


Which branch of chemistry involves carbon-based molecules?

Organic chemistry (and of course biochemistry) is the branch involving carbon based molecules.


Branch of chemistry that deals with compounds containing carbon?

This branch is called organic chemistry.


What is the branch of science concerning the reactions and behavior of carbon compounds?

This is the branch of science called chemistry. Generally the chemistry of carbon compounds is the concern of organic chemistry.


What branch of chemistry is alcohol?

organic chemistry, the chemistry of carbon based material


Biological chemistry is devoted primarily to the study of compounds containing what element?

carbon!


Organic chemistry is the chemistry of carbon. true or false?

True. Organic chemistry is the branch of chemistry that deals with the study of carbon-containing compounds.


Why does organic chemistry is studied under a separate branch of chemistry?

Organic Chemistry is studied under a separate Branch because it is the chemistry of carbon which has a special property of catenation i.e. self linkage, thus alone carbon forms more than 60000 compound till now hence it is not easy to merge it in any other branch of chemistry.


All molecules that do not contain carbon belong to what branch of chemistry?

Inorganic chemistry studies molecules that do not contain carbon. It focuses on understanding the properties, behavior, and reactions of non-carbon containing compounds such as salts, metals, minerals, and gases.


What does inorganic branch of chemistry study?

If organic chemistry study the chemistry of carbon compounds the inorganic chemistry stydy the remaining part.


What is the branch of science that studies carbon?

Chemistry the introduct ion on general organic, and biological chemistry...?


The branch of chemistry that focuses on carbon-containing chemicals is called?

Organic chemistry focuses on the study of carbon-containing compounds. It deals with the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and synthesis of organic compounds. Organic chemistry is central to the understanding of many natural processes and the development of pharmaceuticals, materials, and other important substances.