Carbon Close Up

Carbon is one of the most important elements. It comes in a number of different forms and it is the basis of life. Carbon combines easily with other elements to make many different compounds. Carbon is in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide and plants use the carbon in carbon dioxide to make carbohydrates, which are used to build stems, trunks and roots and to store energy. We eat plants to obtain carbohydrates to get energy. The energy can also be release when stems, trunks are used as fuel and are burnt. Coal and oil are fossil fuels made from fossilized plants and organisms. We use fossil fuels to power engines, and carbon dioxide is then released back into the atmosphere. This carbon dioxide acts like a blanket and warms the Earth.