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The bonding properties of carbon

The bonding properties of carbon 7PPx6
Why is carbon so popular for making molecular backbones? Why don’t we instead use, say, oxygen for the same purpose? For one thing, carbon-carbon bonds are unusually strong, so carbon can form a stable, sturdy backbone for a large molecule. Perhaps more important, however, is carbon’s capacity for covalent bonding. Because a C atom can form covalent bonds to as many as four other atoms, it’s well suited to form the basic skeleton, or “backbone, ” of a macromolecule. As an analogy, imagine that you’re playing with a Tinker Toy® set and have connector wheels with either two or four holes. If you choose the connector wheel with four holes, you’ll be able to make more connections and build a complex structure more easily than if you choose the wheel with two holes. A carbon atom can bond with four other atoms and is like the four-hole wheel, while an oxygen atom, which can bond only to two, is like the two-hole wheel. Carbon’s ability to form bonds with four other atoms goes back to its number and configuration of electrons. Carbon has an atomic number of six (meaning six protons, and six electrons as well in a neutral atom), so the first two electrons fill the inner shell and the remaining four are left in the second shell, which is the valence (outermost) shell. To achieve stability, carbon must find four more electrons to fill its outer shell, giving a total of eight and satisfying the octet rule. Carbon atoms may thus form bonds to as many as four other atoms. For example, in methane (CH_4 4 ​ start subscript, 4, end subscript), carbon forms covalent bonds with four hydrogen atoms. Each bond corresponds to a pair of shared electrons (one from carbon and one from hydrogen), giving carbon the eight electrons it needs for a full outer shell.
Why is
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carbon
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
so
popular for making molecular backbones? Why don’t we
instead
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
use
, say, oxygen for the same purpose? For one thing, carbon-carbon bonds are
unusually
strong,
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
so
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carbon
can
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form
a stable, sturdy backbone for a large molecule. Perhaps more
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
important
,
however
, is
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carbon’s
capacity for covalent bonding.
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
Because
a C atom can
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form
covalent bonds to as
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
many
as four
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
other
atoms, it’s well suited to
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
form
the basic skeleton, or “backbone,
Don't put a space on both sides of a quote symbol
”
of a macromolecule.

As an analogy, imagine that you’re playing with a Tinker Toy® set and have connector
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
wheels
with either two or four holes. If you choose the connector
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
wheel
with four holes, you’ll be able to
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
make
more connections and build a complex structure more
easily
than if you choose the
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
wheel
with two holes. A
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carbon
atom can bond with four
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
other
atoms and is like the four-hole
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wheel
, while an oxygen atom, which can bond
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
only
to two, is like the two-hole wheel.

Carbon’s ability to
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
form
bonds with four
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
other
atoms goes back to its number and configuration of
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electrons
.
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Carbon
has an atomic number of six (meaning six protons, and six
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electrons
as well
in a neutral atom),
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
so
the
first
two
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electrons
fill the inner shell and the remaining four are
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
left
in the second shell, which is the valence (outermost) shell. To achieve stability,
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
carbon
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
must
find four more
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
electrons
to fill its outer shell, giving a total of eight and satisfying the octet
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
rule
.
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
Carbon
atoms may
thus
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
form
bonds to as
This phrase/word is too simple and can be replaced with:
many
as four
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
other
atoms.
For example
, in methane (CH_4

4

​

This sentence does not start with an uppercase letter
start
subscript, 4,
This phrase/word (depending on the context) can be potentially replaced with :
end
subscript),
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
carbon
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
forms
covalent bonds with four hydrogen atoms. Each bond corresponds to a pair of shared
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
electrons
(one from
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
carbon
and one from hydrogen), giving
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
carbon
the eight
You use this word too often, consider replacing it with
electrons
it needs for a full outer shell.
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IELTS essay The bonding properties of carbon

Essay
  American English
5 paragraphs
310 words
6.0
Overall Band Score
Coherence and Cohesion: 5.5
  • Structure your answers in logical paragraphs
  • ?
    One main idea per paragraph
  • Include an introduction and conclusion
  • Support main points with an explanation and then an example
  • Use cohesive linking words accurately and appropriately
  • Vary your linking phrases using synonyms
Lexical Resource: 5.5
  • Try to vary your vocabulary using accurate synonyms
  • Use less common question specific words that accurately convey meaning
  • Check your work for spelling and word formation mistakes
Grammatical Range: 6.5
  • Use a variety of complex and simple sentences
  • Check your writing for errors
Task Achievement: 5.5
  • Answer all parts of the question
  • ?
    Present relevant ideas
  • Fully explain these ideas
  • Support ideas with relevant, specific examples
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