Scientists who studied the links between atoms faced an interesting situation. While some of them were down or taking electrons to bind to, some shared by their outermost orbitals. An investigation later revealed that many molecules critical to life owe their existence to these so-called covalent bonds.
Let’s look at a simple example to understand it better. As mentioned earlier, atoms can have a maximum of two electrons in its orbit closest to the core. The hydrogen atom has a single electron with the tendency to have two to become stable. Consequently, the hydrogen atom is a covalent bond with another hydrogen atom. That is, two hydrogen atoms share the electron alone as a second electron. This is how the H2 molecule.
The bonds between atoms of metals are very different from other forms of chemical bonds. Each metal atom contributes its outermost electrons to a common pool. That “sea of electrons” says a key property of metals: the ability to drive electricidad26.
Metal Link
If a large number of atoms are close by sharing electrons, it is called “metallic bond.” Metals such as iron, copper, zinc, aluminum, etc.., Which form the raw material of many tools and instruments that we use daily or have acquired a substantial and tangible body as a result of such liaison form the constituent atoms.
Scientists can not answer why the electrons in these atoms have such a propensity. What is interesting is that living organisms owe their existence to that trend.
The Next Step: Compounds
Want to know how many combinations can form these links? In laboratories, new compounds are produced every day. Today one can speak about two million of them. The simplest chemical compound can be as small as the hydrogen molecule, but there are also composed of millions of átomos27.
How many different compounds can form at most one element? The answer to this question is really interesting, because on the one hand, there are some that do not interact with others (inert gases), while, on the other hand, we have the carbon atom can form up to 1,700,000 compounds. As mentioned above, the total amount of compounds is about 2,000,000. 108 elements of a total of 109 form 300,000 compounds. But carbon is only surprisingly 1,700,000 compounds.
The “brick” of Life: the carbon atom
Carbon atom
Carbon is the most essential element for living beings because they are all composed of carbon compounds. It would take many pages to describe the properties of the carbon atom, which is extremely important to our existence, while the science of chemistry has not been able to discover all its attributes. Here we will mention only some of the most significant.
Structures as diverse as the cell membrane, the horns of the moose, pine trunk, lens of the eye and the venom of the spider, are formed from carbon compounds. Combined with hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen in very different quantities and geometric arrangements, comes in a wide variety of materials with very different skills. Where does the carbon capacity of 1,700,000 to form around compounds?
One of its most remarkable qualities is to form chains very easily lining up one after the other. The shorter carbon chain is composed of two carbon atoms. Although there are no exact figures on how many are those who form the longest chain, we can speak of about 70 links. Carbon’s unique position is understandable when you consider that outside it, the element that is a longer chain is silicon with 6 enlaces28.
The reason that carbon has the ability to form chains with many links is to not only linear. Can be branched or form polygons. And the form it takes is very important.
For example, if two compounds of carbon atoms combine in different ways, forming two dissimilar substances, which is crucial for life.
Some molecules of carbon compounds consist of a few atoms. Others contain thousands or even millions. No other element is as versatile as carbon molecules to form very durable and stable. David Burnie says in his book Life:
Carbon is a rare item. Without their presence and their unique properties, it is likely that there had been no life on Tierra29.
SIMILAR MOLECULES RESULTING THREE THREE DIFFERENT SUBSTANCES
The difference even if only a few atoms between molecules leads to very different results. For example, look closely at the constituents of the two molecules are shown below. They are seen very similar, with a very small difference in carbon and hydrogen components. The result is two completely opposite substances:
C18H24O2 and C19H28O2
Can you guess what are these molecules? Will tell you. The first is the second of estrogen and testosterone. That is, the first is the hormone responsible for female characteristics and the other male characteristics. It is interesting that the difference of a few atoms can cause sex differences.
Now watch the following formula.
C6H124O2
Is not this molecule is very similar to estrogen and testosterone? Is it another hormone? We say: it is the glucose molecule.
Based on the examples given here is very clear that the difference in the number of atoms can produce very different substances. On the one hand we have the hormones responsible for sexual characteristics and on the other hand we have the sugar, a staple food.
Diamond is a very valuable stone from coal. This is found in nature usually graphite.
On the importance of carbon for living beings, writes the British chemist Nevil Sidgwick in The Chemical Elements and Their Compounds:
Carbon is unique among the elements by the number and variety of compounds that can form. Have been isolated and described more than 250,000, but still have a very imperfect idea of its attributes, since it is the foundation of all forms of matter viviente30.
The class of compounds consisting exclusively of carbon and hydrogen are called hydrocarbons. ” Set a large family that includes natural gas, oil, kerosene and lubricating oils. The hydrocarbons ethylene and propylene form the basis of the petrochemical industry. Hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene and turpentine are familiar to those who work with paints. The naphthalene that protects our clothes from moths is also a hydrocarbon. Combined with chlorine or fluorine leads to anesthetics, to products used in fire extinguishers and the Freon used in refrigeration.
As the chemist Sidgwick, the human mind can not understand the full potential of this atom which has only six protons, six neutrons and six electrons. It is impossible to be given by chance, even if only a single atom properties of this essential for life.
God created and includes the carbon atom and everything else, a perfectly proper way for the benefit of living beings.
Of God that is in heaven and on earth. All-encompassing God (Quran, 4:126).
What would happen if every atom Near Another immediate reaction?
Neither the water molecules together form for only hydrogen and oxygen, or only iron rusts in contact with air. If things like this, our planet would be as we know it. For the establishment of the water or the iron oxide, is needed to complete a condition, such as the energy required in each case, which is called “activation energy.” If the mere touch of a component with other reactions occur immediately, it would be impossible to sit in a chair because the atoms that form would combine instantly with the atoms of those who sit there and the whole existence would become a Saddle and be human (!). In such a world could not speak of “life” as we know it or none exist. This indicates that each process that gave and gives rise to each item or material conforms to specific conditions, is not given in any way, otherwise it would destroy existing balances.
The above clearly indicates that the inclination of the axis, mass, surface area and the proportion of gases in the atmosphere of our planet, and the distance to the moon, the sun and many other factors are exactly the corresponding for life is maintained. Furthermore, it is indicating that all of what happens in the rate and extent of the case, could not be formed gradually, by chance or by trial and error, but was ordained by God, the Lord of supreme power, who determine the characteristic of living things in particular and the cosmos in general.
The role of science in all this is to show the physical laws are observed. As explained at the beginning, from such phenomena become meaningless questions like “how”, “why?”, “How?”. Through these questions as much as we are the characteristics of existing laws. The essential questions should be “why?” And “Who is the creator of those laws?” Which remains an enigma, impossible to answer, for scientists who adhere blindly to its materialist dogmas.
At this point, where the materials are stagnating or are absorbed, things become very clear to those who reason properly. The perfect balance in the universe that can not be explained as a product of chance, has been caused by the order of a sovereign mind and will, as announced a Qur’anic verse: … God has all things considered (Qur’an, 4 : 86). He does everything with a balance, order and precise calculation.
Intermolecular Links: Weak Links
Proteins have a special three-dimensional configuration to fulfill their crucial roles in our bodies. Weak bonds between the molecules form the structures.
The links that combine the atoms in molecules are much stronger than intermolecular bonds. The latter can help the formation of millions and even billions of different links.
But how molecules combine to form matter?
As the molecules become stable after forming, and do not exchange atoms.
So what holds them together?
In an effort to answer this question, various theories have been dumped. Research has shown that different combinations of molecules depend on the properties of atoms that compose them.
The links are very important to produce organic chemistry, ie chemistry of living things, because the most important molecules that make up life form because of its ability to give rise to such links we talked about . Take the case of proteins. The complex three-dimensional shapes of proteins, which are the building blocks of living things are formed under these links. This means that for life settings weak chemical bonds between molecules is at least as necessary as strong chemical bonds between atoms. Indeed, the intensity of these has a certain value.
Continue with the example of the protein. Molecules called amino acids combine to form proteins, being much larger than these components. The atoms that make up the proteins are linked by covalent bonds, while the amino acids of the protein together through weak bonds to produce three-dimensional models. The proteins can function in living organisms, only if they have these three-dimensional structures. If these links do not exist proteins exist and consequently life.
The “hydrogen bond”, which is of weak type, plays an important role in the formation of substances important for life. For example, the molecules that make up the water – the basis of life – are combined by hydrogen bonds.
