Carbon and its Compounds: common misconceptions

If your child says… “One atom gives its electron to the other.”

Ask together

Which atoms have the shared pair within their shells?

What’s true

Both atoms share the pair rather than transferring electrons completely.

If your child says… “The same formula must mean the same compound.”

Ask together

What differs between these butanes: their atom counts or their connections?

What’s true

Some compounds have matching atom counts but different connections, making them structural isomers.

If your child says… “The next member just adds two hydrogens.”

Ask together

What changes besides the hydrogen count between methanol and ethanol?

What’s true

The change includes one carbon as well as two hydrogens.

If your child says… “The black soot means the fuel burned completely.”

Ask together

If all the carbon became carbon dioxide, what would leave this black deposit?

What’s true

Complete burning of a hydrocarbon forms carbon dioxide and water, leaving no unburnt carbon.

If your child says… “Adding hydrogen makes more double bonds.”

Ask together

How can each carbon keep four bonds while gaining a bond to hydrogen?

What’s true

Hydrogenation reduces double bonds and increases saturation.

If your child says… “The bubbles are hydrogen.”

Ask together

Baking soda contains hydrogencarbonate. Which gas do acids release from carbonates and hydrogencarbonates?

What’s true

Ethanoic acid releases carbon dioxide when it reacts with baking soda.

If your child says… “The soap heads point into the oily dirt.”

Ask together

Which ends can face water if the tails are inside the oil?

What’s true

Soap tails interact with oil while the charged heads face the surrounding water.

If your child says… “Detergent foam proves the water is soft.”

Ask together

If detergent foams in either kind of water, can its foam tell them apart?

What’s true

Detergent lather alone cannot identify water hardness.