Diamond and Graphite

• Explain why graphite is a good electrical conductor, soft and slippery?

  • It is a good electrical conductor because it has delocalised electrons (means that it is free to move around) so it is free to move around and carry a charge
  • it is soft and slippery because it forms layers they are able to easily slide over each other which makes them soft and slippery
  • Giant covalent structure and has strong covalent bonds.
• What is an allotrope?

  Allotropes are different physical forms of the same element in the same physical state (physical state meaning solid/liquid/gas). For example, diamond, graphite, and graphene are allotropes of each other because they are all solid carbon.
• In diamond how many bonds does each carbon atom have?

  Four
• Describe the structure and bonding of diamond?

  Giant covalent lattice structure. Each carbon is covalently bonded to 4 other carbon atoms, forming a repeating lattice.
• Can diamond conduct electricity? Explain why?

  Diamond cant conduct electricity. Diamond doesnt have any charged particles (electrons or ions) that can move freely throughout the structure.
• What are the properties of diamond?

  1. High melting and boiling points
  2. Hard
  3. Doesnt conduct electricity
• In graphite, how many covalent bonds does each carbon atom have?

  Three
• Describe the structure and bonding of graphite?

  Giant covalent lattice structure. Each carbon is covalently bonded to 3 other carbon atom, forming a sheet of hexagonal rings. The separate sheets are held together by intermolecular forces. It also has delocalised electrons that can flow throughout the structure.
• Can graphite conduct electricity?. Explain why?

  Yes. Graphite can conduct electricity because it has delocalized electrons that are free to move and carry a charge.
• What are the properties of graphite?

  1. High melting and boiling points
  2. Soft and Brittle
  3. Good conductor of heat and electricity
• Why can graphite be used as a lubricant?

  1. Carbon atoms are arranged in layers.
  2. The forces between layers are weak intermolecular forces
  3. This means they dont need much energy to beak, so layers slide over each other easily.
• Does diamond or graphite have a higher melting point?. Explain.

  • Diamond has the higher melting point as it forms a continuous lattice where all atoms are held together by strong covalent bonds.
  • In contrast graphite includes weak intermolecular forces, which require much less energy to break.