Who Discovered Carbon
By: Want To Know It
Carbon is the fourth most abundant element in the universe by mass. It is also the second most abundant element in the human body after oxygen. But who discovered carbon? This post will answer that question and also tell you a few interesting facts about carbon.
Who Discovered Carbon?
Unfortunately, no one knows who discovered carbon. It is one of the few elements that was known since ancient times. The earliest use of carbon was sometime around 3750 BC. The Egyptians and Sumerians are jointly credited with the discovery as they were the first to use charcoal (a form of carbon) to obtain copper, tin and zinc from their ores. They then combined these elements to make bronze.
Interesting Facts About Carbon
- Diamond and graphite are two forms of carbon. Each have very different properties. For example, diamond is very hard while graphite is very soft.
- Life on earth could not exist without carbon. It is part of DNA and also makes up important sugars and fats that we need to live.
- The name ‘carbon’ comes from the Latin word ‘carbo’.
- All forms of carbon are very stable and require high temperatures to react.
Other Great Discoveries:
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5 Comments for Who Discovered Carbon
1. zeinab | January 12th, 2010 at 11:56 pm
where and when was carbon discovered?
2. Want to know it | January 15th, 2010 at 12:08 am
Who Discovered Carbon- Either the Egyptians or Sumerians (they are given joint credit for the discovery as they began using carbon at the same time)
When Was Carbon Discovered- around 3750 BC
3. kiley | February 9th, 2010 at 8:47 pm
who discovered carbon element
4. Want to know it | February 9th, 2010 at 11:22 pm
The element carbon was discovered by the Egyptians or Sumerians. They discovered one elemental form of carbon- charcoal. Other elemental forms are graphite and diamond. Chemical analysis of these forms of carbon was not done until the 18th century. Antoine Lavoisier was the first to list carbon as an element in 1789.
5. Charles | July 6th, 2010 at 2:49 pm
i love carbon
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