graphite

• how does graphite conduct electricity?:

  • bonds are covalent
  • 3 covalent bonds per atom
  • 1 electron per atom is delocalised
  • delocalised electrons move through the structure carrying electrical charge
• how is graphite soft & slippery?:

  • layered structure of hexagonal rings
  • weak intermolecular forces between layers
  • no covalent bonds between layers
  • layers can slide over eachother
  • makes graphite ideal as a lubricating material
• why does graphite have a high melting point?

  strong covalent bonds that needs a lot of energy to break