Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-02-07
Things Worth Knowing
Valuable Industrial Data Cleaned
from Authorities for the Ken.
nebec Journal.
CAR BON.
Symbol c, Atomic WEIGHT 12.)

is an element widely distributed in
nature--being found free as diamond
and graphite, and in an impure state
as coal: whilst in combination ii &C.
ours IN carbon dioXide, In many car
Donates. such as limestone and dolo-
mite, and as an essential constituent
OF all living things. The naturally oc-
ccring forms of carbon arc sufficient
for most purposes. but it can be pre-
pared by the decomposition of heat
of many of its compounds. Charcoal is
obtained in this way from wood, which
is set or fire in heap that is partially,
covered with earth, when some of the
wood burns. giving out heat enough to
decompose the rest into charcoal and
volatile products. such as tar. wood
spirit. and acctic acid. Coke. SCOT.
lampblack, and gas are OBJ
tanned by processes that are thcoret-
isallv similar to that by which char
ceal is prepared
Carbon. like several other of the
elements. exists in allotropic FORMS
t e. in varieties which, although they
have totally different properties. con-
sist Of carbon and nothing else. This
is proved by the fact that not only
can one form be changed into another
but also that all the kinds burn in
oxygen. and from equal weights yield
tie same weight of carbon dioXidc.
Al the forms are solid and VolatiliZc
without melting at the temperature of
the electric arc. They are insoluble
in any ordinary solvent. but dissolve
in melted metals, such as iron. from
u; ~, in,
the fora Of graphite. If the cooling Is
mad" To take place under very great
prcssUre. some of the carbon Is OBJ
tanned in the form OF minute diamonds.
Diamonds ma% have been produced i'll
a somewhat similar way in nature, as
they show signs of having been sub
jected to great pressure during forma-
ton.
The diamond is an exceedingly hard.
brittle solid. colorless. trans
parent and highly retroactive when
pure. and crystalizing in regular
octahedra Esp. sr. $50. Unlike other
varieties of carbon. the diamond Is a
nom conductor of electricity. and is
into graphite when strongly
heated. in the absence of air. Graphite
(black lead or plumhago). besides oc-
curing naturally. is prepared by heat
ing onthracite coal in the electric fur
mace. K is a soft, greasy-lookins.
black solid Esp. Sr. 2.225o that crystal
lies in six-sided plates.
The other yerities Of carbon are
anonymously without crystalline
m-dependng for their appearance
on the way in which they are pre-
pared Thus. charcoal is soft, black
and porous. and resembles the wood
it was obtained from. II has a great
power of absorbing air and other
gases. which become peculiarly active
whilst in its pores. For this reason.
charcoal is used as deodorant. and
ing bones) for decolorizing oils. juice
Of the sugar-cane, alkaloids. etc.
Chemically, carbon is unique in
forming an almost infinite series Of
compounds--a fact that is due to it's
nearly unlimited power of uniting atom
to atom to form open or closed chains.
other elements being attached through
out the length of the chain. The study
of such compounds, or organic
chemistry. almost exceeds that of all
other branches CI chemistry put to-
gether Technically. on account of its
diamond is used as a
gem. ana. on account of it's hard
ness. as a cutting and abrading agent
Graphite is used TO polish and protect
iron, as a lubricant, and for pencils;
whilst charcoal is mainly employed as
fuel.