Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
7.6A: Organic Compounds Matter and Energy The Carbon-Hydrogen Connection in Outer Space (Lexile 780L) 1 Scientists have known for hundreds of years that carbon is an element. It has also been known that carbon can combine with other elements. Carbon forms organic compounds with hydrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, nitrogen, and sulfur. What had not been known is that hydrocarbons can be found away from our Earth. They have even found one on Saturn’s moons, Hyperion. 2 In 2007, NASA’s Cassini space probe made a survey of Hyperion. It found that the Saturn moon has cup-like craters filled with hydrocarbons. These are the simplest forms of organic compound. They contain only carbon and hydrogen. Scientists now believe the basic chemicals for life are found many places in our solar system. Hyperion does not just have hydrocarbons. It has water and carbon dioxide (carbon-oxygen compound) as well. 3 Our own Earth is full of hydrocarbons. For about 200 years, scientists have classified chemical compounds into two categories. They are either organic or inorganic. Hydrocarbons had been thought of as “organic,” or “living” matter. That definition is not valid any more. Compounds can now be made in a lab. They may never have been part of a living organism. There are a few compounds that can be classified either way! 4 In organic chemistry, the three most important elements are carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Other elements like nitrogen, sulfur, or phosphorus can also be found in organic compounds. Each of these elements makes different kinds of connections. They can combine to form millions of compounds. All play a role in the function of life on this planet. 5 It is exciting to think that those compounds might be found on other planets or moons. Scientists will continue to use space probes and experiments. They will look for clues about the origins of hydrocarbons. They will also continue to survey our solar system to look for more. 1 7.6A: Organic Compounds Matter and Energy 1 Complete the following analogy: hydrocarbons:carbon as carbon dioxide:_____ 2 3 A phosphorous B sulfur C hydrogen D oxygen What could the reader infer from the reading about hydrocarbons? A Life started on other planets before it started on Earth. B All planets and satellites in the solar system contain hydrocarbons. C The building blocks of carbon-based life are found on planets or satellites other than Earth. D No bodies in our solar system except Earth contain hydrocarbons. What other elements besides carbon are commonly found in organic compounds? A Hydrogen and oxygen B Helium and phosphorus C Nitrogen and argon D Oxygen and lead 2 7.6A: Organic Compounds Matter and Energy 4 5 Which of NASA’s spacecraft identified the hydrocarbons on Saturn’s moon? A Cassini B Voyager II C Hubble D Mariner Which of these compounds is a hydrocarbon? A Carbon dioxide (made of carbon and oxygen) B Calcium carbonate (made of calcium, carbon, and oxygen) C Ethanol (made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen) D Octane (made of carbon and hydrogen) 3