Elements · ← B Boron · N Nitrogen →
Carbon is the backbone element of life, and its radioactive isotope carbon-14 is used to date samples and even human cells.
| Symbol | C |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 6 |
| Standard atomic weight | 12.011 |
| Group | 14 |
| Period | 2 |
| Block | p-block |
| Category | Nonmetal |
| Standard state | Solid |
| Discovered | Ancient |
Source: PubChem, Carbon (periodic table data, retrieved 2026-10-19). Group and period follow the standard 18-column periodic table.
Spalding and colleagues used the rise in atmospheric carbon-14 from nuclear weapons testing, which declined after 1963 and is recorded in genomic DNA, to date when human cells were born; neurons in the adult occipital cortex were as old as the person, while non-neuronal cells were replaced.
As reported in: Spalding, Bhardwaj, Buchholz et al. (2005). Retrospective Birth Dating of Cells in Humans. Cell. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2005.04.028
Spatzal and colleagues used atomic-resolution X-ray data and spin-echo spectroscopy to show that the light atom at the centre of nitrogenase's iron-molybdenum (FeMo) cofactor is a carbon species.
As reported in: Spatzal, Aksoyoglu, Zhang et al. (2011). Evidence for Interstitial Carbon in Nitrogenase FeMo Cofactor. Science. doi:10.1126/science.1214025
Arnold and Libby checked age determinations from radiocarbon content against samples of known age.
As reported in: Arnold, Libby (1949). Age Determinations by Radiocarbon Content: Checks with Samples of Known Age. Science. doi:10.1126/science.110.2869.678
Abstract only
Found by name, common compounds and chemical formulas in each entry.
Search Google Patents for carbon in biological and medical uses: all patents · recent applications (2022+)
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