CBSE Class 10 Science Chapter 4: Carbon and Its Compounds NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by · Updated on

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 10 PDF

This chapter delves into the fascinating world of carbon and its compounds, a cornerstone of organic chemistry. The NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Science, Chapter 4, provide comprehensive explanations for multiple-choice questions covering the unique properties of carbon, its allotropes, and the nature of carbon compounds. Students will explore why carbon forms a vast number of compounds, the characteristics of covalent bonding in carbon compounds, and identify different allotropic forms like Buckminsterfullerene. The solutions also touch upon structural isomerism in hydrocarbons and the role of oxidizing agents in chemical reactions. These solutions are designed to clarify concepts, reinforce learning, and aid students in their preparation for board examinations by offering step-by-step understanding of the underlying principles.

Home

Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 10
SubjectScience (Exemplar)
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
Chapter4. Carbon and Its Compounds

Chapter summary

Chapter 4 of the CBSE Class 10 Science curriculum focuses on Carbon and Its Compounds. This section provides NCERT Solutions for multiple-choice questions that test fundamental concepts. It covers the abundance of carbon in the atmosphere, the electrical conductivity and intermolecular forces in carbon compounds, the bonding in ammonia, allotropes of carbon such as Buckminsterfullerene, and structural isomerism of butane. The solutions also explain the role of oxidizing agents in organic reactions, reinforcing key principles of carbon chemistry.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the forms of carbon present in the atmosphere.
  • Identify the electrical conductivity and intermolecular forces in carbon compounds.
  • Recognize the type of bonding present in ammonia molecules.
  • Identify Buckminsterfullerene as an allotrope of carbon.
  • Distinguish between structural isomers of butane.
  • Determine the role of reagents like alkaline KMnO4 in chemical reactions.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Forms of Carbon in Atmosphere
  • Properties of Carbon Compounds
  • Electrical Conductivity of Carbon Compounds
  • Intermolecular Forces in Carbon Compounds
  • Bonding in Ammonia
  • Allotropes of Carbon
  • Buckminsterfullerene
  • Structural Isomers of Butane
  • Oxidation Reactions
  • Role of Oxidising Agents

Important topics

  • Properties of Carbon Compounds
  • Allotropes of Carbon
  • Structural Isomerism
  • Oxidation Reactions
  • Bonding in Molecules

PDF preview

Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.

Loading document …
Page of
Loading page …

Questions and Solutions

Multiple Choice Questions - 1

1. Carbon exists in the atmosphere in the form of
  1. carbon monoxide only
  2. carbon monoxide in traces and carbon dioxide
  3. carbon dioxide only
  4. coal
Solution: The correct option is (c) carbon dioxide only. Carbon is present in the Earth's atmosphere primarily as carbon dioxide (CO2). While carbon monoxide (CO) is also a carbon compound, it exists in much smaller, trace amounts in the atmosphere compared to CO2.

Multiple Choice Questions - 2

2. Which of the following statements are usually correct for carbon compounds?
  1. are good conductors of electricity
  2. are poor conductors of electricity
  3. have strong forces of attraction between their molecules
  4. do not have strong forces of attraction between their molecules
Which combination of the above statements is correct?
  1. (i) and (iii)
  2. (ii) and (iii)
  3. (i) and (iv)
  4. (ii) and (iv)
Solution: The correct option is (d) (ii) and (iv). Carbon compounds typically form covalent bonds, which means they share electrons rather than transferring them. This results in molecules with weak intermolecular forces of attraction. Due to these weak forces and the absence of free-moving ions or electrons, carbon compounds are generally poor conductors of electricity.

Multiple Choice Questions - 3

3. A molecule of ammonia (NH3) has
  1. only single bonds
  2. only double bonds
  3. only triple bonds
  4. two double bonds and one single bond
Solution: The correct option is (a) only single bonds. In an ammonia molecule (NH3), the central nitrogen atom is bonded to three hydrogen atoms. Nitrogen has 5 valence electrons and hydrogen has 1. Nitrogen shares one electron with each hydrogen atom, forming three single covalent bonds. The remaining two valence electrons on nitrogen form a lone pair.

Multiple Choice Questions - 4

4. Buckminsterfullerene is an allotropic form of
  1. phosphorus
  2. sulphur
  3. carbon
  4. tin
Solution: The correct option is (c) carbon. Buckminsterfullerene, commonly known as a 'buckyball' or C60, is one of the well-known allotropes of carbon. Other allotropes of carbon include diamond, graphite, and amorphous carbon.

Multiple Choice Questions - 5

5. Which of the following are correct structural isomers of butane?

The image displays structures labeled (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv).

(i) CH3–CH2–CH2–CH3

(ii) CH3–CH(CH3)–CH3

(iii) CH3–CH2–CH2–CH2–CH3

(iv) CH3–CH2–CH(CH3)–CH2–CH3

Which combination of the above options represents structural isomers of butane?
  1. (i) and (iii)
  2. (ii) and (iv)
  3. (i) and (ii)
  4. (iii) and (iv)
Solution: The correct option is (c) (i) and (ii). The chemical formula for butane is C4H10. Structural isomers are compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural arrangements. Structure (i) represents n-butane (normal butane), which has a straight chain of four carbon atoms. Structure (ii) represents isobutane (2-methylpropane), which is a branched chain isomer with three carbon atoms in the main chain and a methyl group attached to the second carbon. Structures (iii) and (iv) have more than four carbon atoms and thus do not represent isomers of butane.

Multiple Choice Questions - 6

6. In the reaction CH3 – CH2 – OH Alkaline KMnO4 Heat + → CH3 – COOH, alkaline KMnO4 acts as
  1. reducing agent
  2. oxidising agent
  3. catalyst
  4. dehydrating agent
Solution: The correct option is (b) oxidising agent. In this reaction, ethanol (CH3–CH2–OH) is converted into ethanoic acid (CH3–COOH). This transformation involves an increase in the oxidation state of the carbon atom bonded to the hydroxyl group. Alkaline potassium permanganate (KMnO4) is a strong oxidising agent that facilitates this oxidation process.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing the electrical conductivity and intermolecular forces of carbon compounds.
  • Incorrectly identifying the type of bonds in molecules like ammonia.
  • Mistaking other elements for allotropes of carbon.
  • Failing to correctly identify structural isomers based on molecular formula and structure.
  • Misinterpreting the role of oxidizing or reducing agents in reactions.

Revision tips

  • Review the unique properties of carbon that lead to the formation of a large number of compounds.
  • Pay close attention to the explanations of bonding in covalent compounds like ammonia.
  • Memorize the common allotropes of carbon and their structures.
  • Practice drawing and identifying structural isomers for hydrocarbons.
  • Understand the concept of oxidation and reduction with examples from the chapter.

Practice MCQs

Q1. In which form does carbon primarily exist in the Earth's atmosphere?

Q2. Which of the following statements are generally true for compounds formed by carbon?

Q3. A molecule of ammonia (NH3) contains:

Q4. Buckminsterfullerene is recognized as a specific allotropic form of which element?

Q5. Identify the correct structural isomers of butane from the given options.

Q6. In the reaction CH3–CH2–OH + Alkaline KMnO4 (Heat) → CH3–COOH, what role does alkaline KMnO4 play?

Frequently asked questions

What are the main forms of carbon found in the Earth's atmosphere?

Carbon primarily exists in the Earth's atmosphere as carbon dioxide (CO2). Trace amounts of carbon monoxide (CO) are also present.

Why are carbon compounds generally poor conductors of electricity?

Carbon compounds typically form covalent bonds, which involve sharing of electrons. These compounds have weak intermolecular forces and lack free-moving charged particles (ions or free electrons), making them poor conductors of electricity.

What type of bonds are present in an ammonia molecule (NH3)?

An ammonia molecule (NH3) contains only single covalent bonds between the nitrogen atom and each of the three hydrogen atoms.

Is Buckminsterfullerene an allotrope of carbon?

Yes, Buckminsterfullerene (C60), also known as a 'buckyball', is a specific allotropic form of carbon.

How can we identify structural isomers of butane?

Structural isomers of butane must have the same molecular formula (C4H10) but a different arrangement of atoms. For example, n-butane and isobutane (2-methylpropane) are structural isomers of butane.

What is the function of alkaline KMnO4 in the given reaction?

In the reaction where ethanol is converted to ethanoic acid, alkaline KMnO4 acts as a strong oxidising agent, facilitating the oxidation process.

Important links

Content reviewed by the NCERT Help team. Editorial Team and update policy

NCERT Solutions PDF PDF on NCERT Help. URL unchanged for search indexing.