Carbon Compounds in Daily Life

📚 Key Concepts

🔹 Real-Life Examples

From the moment you wake up, you’re surrounded by carbon compounds – the cotton in your bedsheet, the plastic of your toothbrush, the sugar in your tea, the gasoline in vehicles, and even the medicines you take. Carbon compounds are literally the chemistry of life!

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🧪 Carbon Compounds Around Us

🔸 In Food and Nutrition

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Carbohydrates:

  • Glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆): Primary energy source
  • Starch: Energy storage in plants
  • Cellulose: Structural component of plants

Fats and Oils:

  • Saturated fats: Solid at room temperature
  • Unsaturated fats: Liquid at room temperature (healthier)
  • Essential fatty acids: Required for body functions

Proteins:

  • Made of amino acids (contain -NH₂ and -COOH groups)
  • Essential for growth and repair

🔸 In Industry and Technology

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Fuels:

  • Petroleum products: Gasoline, diesel, kerosene
  • Natural gas: Methane (CH₄)
  • Coal: Complex mixture of carbon compounds

Plastics and Polymers:

  • Polyethylene: Plastic bags, bottles
  • PVC: Pipes, cables
  • Nylon: Textiles, ropes

Pharmaceuticals:

  • Most medicines are organic compounds
  • Aspirin: Pain reliever
  • Penicillin: Antibiotic

🧪 Environmental Impact

🔸 Greenhouse Effect

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Carbon Dioxide (CO₂):

  • Major greenhouse gas
  • Produced by burning fossil fuels
  • Contributes to global warming

Methane (CH₄):

  • More potent greenhouse gas than CO₂
  • Produced by agriculture, waste decomposition

🔸 Pollution Issues

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Air Pollution:

  • Incomplete combustion produces CO (toxic)
  • Hydrocarbon emissions from vehicles

Plastic Pollution:

  • Non-biodegradable polymers
  • Ocean plastic affecting marine life

🔍 Advanced: Sustainable Chemistry

Development of biodegradable plastics, biofuels, and green chemistry approaches to reduce environmental impact of carbon compounds.