carbon

Everyday

1. A chemical element found in all living things, in coal, in diamonds and pencil «lead» (graphite). tree →
2. Short for carbon dioxide or carbon emissions in talk about climate: «cut carbon», «carbon footprint». tree →

In the lessons

In science: carbon is in every living thing; plants take in carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the air and give out oxygen; animals breathe out carbon dioxide; burning fuels like coal, oil and gas releases carbon dioxide, which traps heat and warms the Earth (climate change). Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas with no smell from faulty heaters — homes need carbon monoxide alarms. Phrases: carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, carbon footprint, carbon cycle, low-carbon.

Examples

• Diamonds and pencil lead are both made of carbon. tree →
• Plants take in carbon dioxide and give out oxygen. tree →
• We breathe out carbon dioxide. tree →
• Burning coal puts carbon dioxide into the air. tree →
• Walking to school instead of driving shrinks your carbon footprint. tree →
• A carbon monoxide alarm warns you about a dangerous gas. tree →
• All living things contain carbon. tree →
• The carbon cycle moves carbon between air, plants, animals and the ground. tree →

Note

Uncountable. Symbol C. Two very different gases: carbon dioxide (CO₂, one carbon and two oxygen, we breathe it out) and carbon monoxide (CO, one oxygen, poisonous, from faulty boilers and cars). Pencil «lead» is graphite (carbon), not the metal lead.