⛓️ Carbon Compounds

Carbon shares electrons to form covalent bonds — and builds millions of molecules. Pick one to see its structure!

C (carbon)H (hydrogen)O (oxygen)

🧠 The Big Idea

Carbon has 4 outer electrons, so it forms 4 covalent bonds — chains, rings, single/double/triple bonds.
A functional group (like –OH or –COOH) gives a molecule its special properties.
Alcohols end in –OH (ethanol 🍾), acids in –COOH (ethanoic acid = vinegar 🧴). Small units join into giant polymers (plastics).