CARBON

Written By Rebecca Sylvia

WHAT IS CARBON?

Everything in the world is made from tiny particles called atoms.

An atom is the smallest part of a substance that still counts as that substance.

Different substances are made from different types of atoms. These types are called elements.

An element is a substance that only contains one type of atom.

For example:

  • oxygen is an element made only of oxygen atoms

  • iron is an element made only of iron atoms

  • gold is an element made only of gold atoms

  • carbon is an element made only of carbon atoms

So when we say “carbon”, we are talking about a specific type of atom.

WHTA IS CARBON ?

Carbon is important because it is found in all living things. Plants contain carbon, animals contain carbon, humans contain carbon, and food contains carbon. This is not because carbon is a separate material hidden inside them, but because living things are built from molecules that include carbon atoms.

Molecules are groups of atoms joined together. All materials are made from different molecules, and those molecules determine what the material is like. When scientists say carbon is “in” something like skin, wood, or food, they mean that carbon atoms are part of the molecules that make up those materials. So carbon is not sitting inside objects as a separate substance. It is built into their structure at the level of molecules.

Because carbon atoms are part of so many different biological molecules, carbon appears in many living systems. It is used to build molecules for energy, structure, and storage in living things. This is why carbon is found across plants, animals, and materials that come from them.

Since carbon is part of living things and the environment around them, it does not stay in one place. It moves between the air, living organisms, the soil, oceans, and rocks. This continuous movement is called the carbon cycle.

KEY IDEA
Carbon is important because it can form many different structures and is constantly recycled in nature.

Rebecca Sylvia

I am a Londoner with over 30 years of experience teaching psychology at A-Level, IB, and undergraduate levels. Throughout my career, I’ve taught in more than 40 establishments across the UK and internationally, including Spain, Lithuania, and Cyprus. My teaching has been consistently recognised for its high success rates, and I’ve also worked as a consultant in education, supporting institutions in delivering exceptional psychology programmes.

I’ve written various psychology materials and articles, focusing on making complex concepts accessible to students and educators. In addition to teaching, I’ve published peer-reviewed research in the field of eating disorders.

My career began after earning a degree in Psychology and a master’s in Cognitive Neuroscience. Over the years, I’ve combined my academic foundation with hands-on teaching and leadership roles, including serving as Head of Social Sciences.

Outside of my professional life, I have two children and enjoy a variety of interests, including skiing, hiking, playing backgammon, and podcasting. These pursuits keep me curious, active, and grounded—qualities I bring into my teaching and consultancy work. My personal and professional goals include inspiring curiosity about human behaviour, supporting educators, and helping students achieve their full potential.

https://psychstory.co.uk
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