EARTH | CARBON |
---|---|
The Earth is the right size to maintain an atmosphere. | Carbon is just the right size, with four electrons in shell 2. It needs to share another four to satisfy the octet rule. |
The Earth is at the appropriate distance from the Sun. Any closer would be too hot. Farther away, too cold. | The valence electrons of carbon are at the right distance so that the nucleus can attract them but, at the same time, can share them and still be able to attract four other electrons from other atoms and thus form very stable bonds. |
The Earth is an ideal place for the development of life. | Carbon forms an infinite number of molecular structures that are the basis of life. |
CH4 methane | CH3CH3 ethane | CH3CH2CH3 propane | CH3(CH2)2CH3 butane |
C6H12 cyclohexane | C10H16 adamantane | C6H6 benzene | C10H8 naphtalene |