Carbon and Its Compounds

Chapter Overview

This chapter explains the unique bonding behaviour of carbon, its tetravalency and catenation, formation of hydrocarbons, homologous series, nomenclature, functional groups and important chemical reactions. It also covers ethanol, ethanoic acid, esterification, soaps, detergents and micelle formation.

Topics Covered

Bonding in Carbon – The Covalent Bond

Electron Dot Structure

Tetravalency of Carbon

Catenation

Versatile Nature of Carbon

Hydrocarbons

Saturated Hydrocarbons

Unsaturated Hydrocarbons

Alkanes, Alkenes and Alkynes

Homologous Series

Nomenclature of Carbon Compounds

Functional Groups

Chemical Reactions of Carbon Compounds

Combustion

Oxidation

Addition Reaction

Substitution Reaction

Ethanol

Ethanoic Acid

Esterification

Soaps

Detergents

Micelles

Soap in Hard Water

Quick Revision

Carbon is tetravalent and generally forms covalent bonds.
Catenation allows carbon to form long chains, branches and rings.
Hydrocarbons contain carbon and hydrogen only.
Alkanes are saturated; alkenes and alkynes are unsaturated.
Members of a homologous series differ successively by CH₂.
Functional groups determine characteristic chemical behaviour of organic compounds.
Ethanol contains the –OH group.
Ethanoic acid contains the –COOH group.
Addition reactions are characteristic of unsaturated compounds.
Soap cleansing action involves micelle formation.

Important Formulae

Compound	Formula
Methane	CH₄
Ethane	C₂H₆
Ethene	C₂H₄
Ethyne	C₂H₂
Ethanol	C₂H₅OH
Ethanoic Acid	CH₃COOH

Official Study Sources

Students should also refer to the official NCERT textbook and current CBSE Academic resources.

NCERT Official Textbooks → CBSE Academic Curriculum 2026-27 → CBSE Assessment Resources →

Chapter Overview

📘 Complete Notes

❓ Important Questions

📝 Previous Year Questions

Topics Covered

Quick Revision

Important Formulae

Official Study Sources