Q 01/05

What is carbon's atomic number?

A) 5

B) 4

C) 2

D) 6

Answer · why

D) 6

Its symbol is C and it sits in group 14 of the periodic table with silicon and germanium.

Q 02/05

Carbon is described as tetravalent. How many covalent bonds can each atom form?

A) Three

B) Six

C) Two

D) Four

Answer · why

D) Four

Its outer shell holds four electrons, which is why it builds such an enormous variety of molecules.

Q 03/05

The name carbon comes from the Latin word for what?

A) Black

B) Coal

C) Diamond

D) Fire

Answer · why

B) Coal

German, Dutch and Danish are blunter still: Kohlenstoff, koolstof and kulstof all mean 'coal-substance'.

Q 04/05

Carbon ranks where in abundance among elements in the universe by mass?

A) Fourth

B) Tenth

C) Sixth

D) Second

Answer · why

A) Fourth

Only three lighter elements outweigh it; more than 20% of cosmic carbon may be tied up in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Q 05/05

Carbon is the second most abundant element in the human body by mass. Which element comes first?

A) Calcium

B) Hydrogen

C) Nitrogen

D) Oxygen

Answer · why

D) Oxygen

Most of that oxygen is in water, while carbon forms the backbone of proteins, fats, sugars and DNA.