Organic compounds contain very few elements, whereas inorganic carbon compounds contain almost all elements. Which of the following elements is not commonly found in organic compounds?
Question 29 options:
a) Hydrogen
b) Nitrogen
c) Germanium
d) Oxygen
e) Carbon
c) Germanium
The element that is not commonly found in organic compounds is:
c) Germanium
To determine which element is not commonly found in organic compounds, we need to understand the characteristics of organic compounds and the elements commonly found in them.
Organic compounds are primarily composed of carbon and hydrogen atoms, with oxygen, nitrogen, and a few other elements also commonly present. Inorganic carbon compounds, on the other hand, can contain a wide range of elements.
Let's analyze each option to determine which element is not commonly found in organic compounds:
a) Hydrogen: Hydrogen is commonly found in organic compounds, as it forms covalent bonds with carbon atoms.
b) Nitrogen: Nitrogen is also commonly found in organic compounds, especially in compounds like amino acids and nucleic acids.
c) Germanium: Germanium is an element that is not commonly found in organic compounds. Organic compounds typically do not contain germanium.
d) Oxygen: Oxygen is commonly found in organic compounds, forming functional groups like hydroxyl groups and carbonyl groups.
e) Carbon: Carbon is the fundamental element in organic compounds and is always present.
Based on the analysis above, the element that is not commonly found in organic compounds is c) Germanium.