In: Chemistry
Graphite and diamond are both made from carbon atoms.
A) List some of the physical characteristics of each.
B) Give one application for graphite and one for diamond.
C) If both materials are made of carbon, why does such a difference in properties exist?
Both graphite and diamond are the allotropes of carbon
(A)
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF GRAPHITE
1. Graphite is the good conductor of Electricity due to free electron
2.Graphite exist in the form of hexagonal
3. Graphite is opaque
4. Graphite is very soft and behave as a lubricant
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF DIAMOND
1. Diamond is a insulator
2.Diamond has isometric structure and covalent bond
3. Diamond usually very transparent
4. It is the hardest mineral in this world.
5. Diamond has perfect cleavage
(B)
APPLICATION OF
GRAPHITE
1. It is used in nuclear reactor to control the speed of the nuclear fission reaction
APPLICATION OF DIAMOND
1. It is used for cutting, grinding , drilling and polishing in industries
(C) Although both are the allotropes of carbon but they have different properties due to their structure.In Diamond the carbon atom are arranged tetrahedrally and where as the Graphite has layered structure. Each carbon of graphite is bonded with another three carbon atom and arranged at the corner in the form of hexagons. In graphite, one mobile electron is present between the layer of Carbon and which mainly helps for the conduction of electricity. But in Diamond there is no free electron to conduct electricity.