CBSE Class 10 Science Chapter 4 Carbon & Its Compounds Notes

Carbon is a non-metal and is represented by the symbol C. It has an atomic number of 6 and is placed in group 14 of the periodic table. Carbon exists in both free and combined forms. Free forms include diamond, graphite, and fullerene. Combined forms include compounds such as carbon dioxide, methane, and hydrocarbons.

What is Carbon?

Carbon is one of the most important elements in chemistry and life. It forms the basis of all organic compounds — from fuels and plastics to proteins and DNA. Understanding its structure and bonding helps explain why carbon can create millions of different compounds.

Carbon is a non-metal element represented by the symbol C.

• Atomic Number: 6
• Atomic Mass: 12 u
• Position:
  • Group: 14 (IVA)
  • Period: 2
  • Block: p-block element

This means carbon has two energy shells — the first shell holds two electrons, and the second shell holds four. Because of its middle position in the periodic table, carbon shows properties between metals and non-metals.

Carbon exists in both free and combined forms:

• Free forms: Diamond, graphite, and fullerene (pure carbon structures).
• Combined forms: Compounds like carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and sugar (C₆H₁₂O₆).

Electronic Configuration of Carbon

The electronic configuration of carbon is: 1s² 2s² 2p²

This shows that carbon has:

• 2 electrons in the first shell
• 4 electrons in the second shell (valence shell)

Since it has four valence electrons, carbon is tetravalent, meaning it can form four covalent bonds with other atoms (like hydrogen, oxygen, or nitrogen). This property allows it to make long chains, rings, and complex structures.

Also Check: CBSE Class 10 Science Chapter 4 Carbon and its Compounds MCQs

Covalent Bonding Nature

Carbon forms covalent bonds, not ionic bonds.
Here’s why:

• If carbon were to lose 4 electrons, it would need a lot of energy to remove them.
• If it were to gain 4 electrons, it would have 10 electrons, which is unstable due to strong repulsion between extra electrons.

Therefore, instead of losing or gaining electrons, carbon shares its valence electrons with other atoms to achieve stability. This sharing of electrons forms covalent bonds.

Example:

• In Methane (CH₄), carbon shares one electron each with four hydrogen atoms.
• Each shared pair forms one covalent bond, making the molecule stable.

Result: Carbon can form a wide variety of compounds — single, double, or triple-bonded — leading to the vast world of organic chemistry.

Important Properties of Carbon

1. Tetravalency – Carbon has four valence electrons. It can form four covalent bonds with other atoms like hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, etc.
2. Catenation – Carbon atoms can link with other carbon atoms to form long chains, branched chains, or rings.
3. Formation of Covalent Bonds – Carbon forms covalent bonds by sharing electrons instead of donating or accepting them.
4. Formation of Stable Compounds – Carbon forms stable compounds with hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, chlorine, and sulfur.

These properties explain why there are millions of carbon and its compounds found in nature.

Covalent Bonding in Carbon Compounds

Covalent bonds are formed when two atoms share electrons. In carbon and its compounds class 10, this concept is central.
For example:

• Methane (CH₄) – Carbon shares its four electrons with four hydrogen atoms.
• Ethane (C₂H₆) – Two carbon atoms are linked by a single bond, and each carbon is bonded to hydrogen atoms.

These covalent bonds make carbon compounds strong and stable.

Types of Carbon Compounds

In class 10 carbon and its compounds notes pdf, carbon compounds are classified into several types:

1. Hydrocarbons – Compounds made of carbon and hydrogen only.
   • Saturated hydrocarbons (alkanes) – Single bonds only (e.g., methane, ethane).
   • Unsaturated hydrocarbons (alkenes, alkynes) – Double or triple bonds (e.g., ethene, ethyne).
2. Functionalized Compounds – When carbon combines with other elements to form functional groups. Examples include alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, and esters.
3. Homologous Series – A series of compounds with similar structures and chemical properties. Each member differs by a –CH₂ group.

Do Check: CBSE Class 10 Science Chapter 4 Carbon and its Compounds Important Questions

Functional Groups

Functional groups are special clusters of atoms in a molecule that give it its unique chemical behavior. They decide how a compound reacts with other substances. Common examples are:

• Hydroxyl group (–OH) found in alcohols
• Carboxyl group (–COOH) found in acids
• Amino group (–NH₂) found in proteins and amines

Homologous Series

A homologous series is a group of compounds that share the same functional group and general formula. Each member of the series differs by a –CH₂– unit. The series shows a gradual change in physical properties such as boiling point, while their chemical reactions follow a similar pattern.

Nomenclature of Carbon Compounds

The names of organic compounds follow rules made by the IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry). The name tells us:

1. How many carbon atoms are in the molecule.
2. The type of bonds (single, double, or triple).
3. The functional groups present.

Steps to Name a Carbon Compound

1. Base Name: Identify the number of carbon atoms and choose the base name
   • Example: 3 carbons → propane
2. Functional Group: Add the prefix or suffix for the functional group
   • Example: Add -one for ketones → propanone
3. Unsaturation: Change -ane to -ene for double bonds or -yne for triple bonds
   • Example: propene (double bond), propyne (triple bond)

These rules make it easy to understand the structure and type of each compound.

Examples of Carbon Compound Names

Chemical Reactions of Carbon Compounds

In chemistry carbon and its compounds, various chemical reactions of carbon compounds are discussed.

1. Combustion Reaction
   Carbon compounds burn in oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, water, and energy.
   Example: CH₄ + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O + energy
2. Oxidation Reaction
   Alcohols and aldehydes are oxidized to acids using oxidizing agents like alkaline potassium permanganate (KMnO₄).
3. Addition Reaction
   Unsaturated hydrocarbons (alkenes and alkynes) react with hydrogen in the presence of catalysts like nickel or palladium to form saturated compounds.
4. Substitution Reaction
   In alkanes, one or more hydrogen atoms are replaced by halogens like chlorine or bromine.

Do Check: CBSE Class 10 Science Notes

Ethanol and Ethanoic Acid

Two important compounds in carbon and its compound chapter are ethanol (C₂H₅OH) and ethanoic acid (CH₃COOH).

• Ethanol is a colorless liquid used in alcoholic beverages and as a fuel. It shows properties such as burning with a blue flame and reacting with sodium to produce hydrogen gas.
• Ethanoic Acid, commonly known as acetic acid, gives vinegar its sour taste and pungent smell. It reacts with alcohol to form esters in esterification reactions.

Esterification Reaction: Ethanol + Ethanoic Acid → Ester + Water
                                     (CH₃COOH + C₂H₅OH → CH₃COOC₂H₅ + H₂O)

Soaps and Detergents

The last section of class 10 science carbon and its compounds deals with soaps and detergents.

• Soaps are sodium or potassium salts of fatty acids. They are used for cleaning.
• Detergents are synthetic substances used for cleaning even in hard water.

Cleansing Action: Soaps form micelles that trap oil and dirt particles, which are then washed away with water.

Homologous Series and Naming

In class 10 carbon and its compounds notes pdf, understanding how to name compounds is essential. The IUPAC system gives every compound a unique name based on the number of carbon atoms and the type of bonds.

Each compound in a homologous series differs by a CH₂ group and has similar chemical properties.

Importance of Carbon and Its Compounds

Carbon and its compounds play a vital role in our daily lives. From fuels to medicines, almost everything around us contains carbon in some form. Understanding their importance helps students connect chemistry with real-world applications.

1. Industrial Importance

Carbon compounds are the backbone of many industries:

• Fuels: Substances like coal, petroleum, natural gas, and LPG are carbon-based fuels. They provide energy for homes, factories, and vehicles. Without them, modern civilization could not function.
• Plastics: Most plastics are made from hydrocarbons derived from petroleum. They are used in packaging, furniture, and household items.
• Detergents and Soaps: These are also carbon-based compounds that help remove dirt and oil. They are widely used in daily hygiene and cleaning products.
• Alcohol and Acids: Ethanol and ethanoic acid are essential in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Ethanol is used as a solvent and disinfectant, while ethanoic acid is used in making vinegar and esters.

2. Environmental Impact

While carbon compounds are useful, they also affect the environment.

• Combustion of Fuels: When carbon compounds burn, they produce carbon dioxide (CO₂). This gas traps heat in the atmosphere, leading to global warming.
• Air Pollution: Incomplete burning of carbon compounds can release carbon monoxide (CO), a poisonous gas that affects human health.
• Plastic Waste: Since plastics are non-biodegradable, they cause serious environmental issues like soil and water pollution.

Therefore, understanding carbon compounds also helps us find eco-friendly alternatives and promote sustainable living.

3. Biological Importance

Carbon is the building block of life. All living organisms depend on carbon compounds for survival.

• Carbohydrates: Sugars and starches supply energy to our body.
• Proteins: Made up of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen, proteins help in body growth and repair.
• Fats and Oils: Provide stored energy and insulation.
• Nucleic Acids (DNA & RNA): Contain carbon atoms and carry genetic information.

Thus, carbon compounds form the chemical foundation of all life forms on Earth.

Do Check: NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Science

Benefits of Studying Carbon and Its Compounds Notes

Having good carbon and its compounds notes class 10 is highly beneficial for students preparing for exams.

• Concept Clarity: Notes explain difficult topics like bonding, reactions, and functional groups in a simple way.
• Quick Revision: Well-structured notes help students revise large portions in less time.
• Exam Preparation: These notes support not just CBSE exams but also competitive tests like NTSE and Olympiads.
• Offline Access: You can download carbon and its compounds notes PDF and study anytime, even without the internet.
• Practice Material: Most notes come with solved examples and carbon and its compounds question answer sections for better understanding.

Final Revision Tips

To master Class 10 Carbon and Its Compounds, regular practice and smart study habits are key.

1. Practice Reactions Daily: Write and memorize all chemical equations like combustion, oxidation, and substitution. Understanding them helps in solving numerical and reasoning questions.
2. Master IUPAC Nomenclature: Learn how to name compounds systematically based on the number of carbon atoms and functional groups.
3. Revise Important Compounds: Focus on ethanol, ethanoic acid, soaps, and detergents as they often appear in board exams.
4. Use Study Materials: Utilize carbon and its compounds notes PDF and carbon and its compounds class 10 CBSE textbooks for structured learning.
5. Attempt Question-Answer Sets: Go through all carbon and its compounds question answer sections to test your knowledge and build exam confidence.