How do science concepts apply to your world? Here are some questions you'll be able to answer after you read this chapter.

• Why do homes that are heated with oil or natural gas often have carbon monoxide detectors?
• What makes the odor of rotten fish so different from the odor of roses?
• What do tires, a trash bag, and pasta have in common?
• How does your body release the energy stored in food?
• How are coal-burning power plants reducing air pollution?

Do All Carbon Compounds Have Similar Properties?

Procedure

1. Examine samples of sucrose, cellulose, isopropyl alcohol, polystyrene, and polypropylene. All five compounds contain carbon and hydrogen. Sucrose, cellulose, and isopropyl alcohol contain oxygen, too.
2. Record a set of physical properties for each compound. Include some of the properties you studied in Chapter 2.

Think About It

1. Making Generalizations   Is there any property you observed that you could use to classify a compound as a carbon compound?
2. Formulating Hypotheses   Why does carbon form many more compounds than other elements do? (Hint: How many valence electrons does carbon have and what type of bonds does it form?)