Carbon is a chemical element with the symbol C and atomic number 6. It is one of the most abundant elements in the universe and exists in multiple forms, including graphite, diamond, and buckminsterfullerene. In the Earth's crust, carbon is mainly bound up in rocks, minerals, and organic matter. Humans, plants, and other living organisms also contain carbon as a key component of biomolecules like proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids.
While humans and coal primarily contain carbon arranged in complex biological structures or geological formations, diamonds consist of carbon atoms arranged in a highly ordered crystal structure called a diamond lattice. This specific arrangement gives diamonds their exceptional hardness and thermal conductivity, making them a highly prized gemstone.
