C2 - Graphite

• Why does graphite have a high melting point/boiling point?

  • Giant covalent structure
  • Strong covalent bonds between carbon atoms
  • Lots of energy needed to overcome these bonds
• Why is graphite soft and slippery?

  • Each carbon atom forms covalent bonds to three other carbon atoms
  • Forming layers of hexagonal rings
  • No covalent bonds between the layers
  • So the layers slide over eachother
• Why is graphite a good conductor of electricity/heat?

  • Carbon atoms have four electrons in their outer shell
  • Each carbon atom forms covalent bonds to three other carbon atoms
  • Each carbon atoms has one electron in its outer shell, that aren't in a covalent bond
  • They are delocalised electrons that are free to move through the structure and carry charge