Carbon is found on Earth in water, rocks and elements such as magnesium and iron. Hydrocarbons are what people often use as sources of energy, such as coal, petrol and natural gas.
Carbon is the periodic table's ruling element, due to its heavy influence in chemistry and other scientific fields. Carbon's bonding with other elements result in more than 10 million different compounds, including calcium carbonate. Coal, natural gas and shale oil are mostly hydrocarbons and make up the majority of the earth's fossil fuels.
Carbon is found in carbon dioxide in the earth's atmosphere. It is discovered in most rocks as well as rivers, ponds and other natural waters.
