Why is carbon the ONLY element to link in long chains?

Subject: Why is carbon the ONLY element to link in long chains?

Date: Tue May 22 20:39:14 2001
Posted by Carolyn
Grade level: 10-12 School: Danebank School
City: Hurstville State/Province: NSW Country: Australia
Area of science: Chemistry
ID: 990578354.Ch

Message:


Why, for example, does nitrogen not do this, forming, say a polymer (or smaller 
molecule) of formula (NH)n, ditto phosphorus? I am an experienced Chemistry 
teacher but I have never seen an explanation for this.

Re: Why is carbon the ONLY element to link in long chains?

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