Section 01
Why carbon?
Carbon has 4 valence electrons and can form 4 stable covalent bonds. It bonds with itself in chains, rings and branches — creating millions of possible molecules.
Section 02
Hydrocarbons
Alkanes have only single bonds (CH₄, C₂H₆), alkenes have at least one double bond (C₂H₄), alkynes have a triple bond (C₂H₂).
Section 03
Functional groups
Small atom groups that give molecules character — hydroxyl (-OH) makes alcohols, carboxyl (-COOH) makes acids, amino (-NH₂) makes amines.