Question

Question #81fec

Answer 1

Graphite has different properties from diamond due to the bonding between the carbon atoms. Graphite is slippery, black and a conductor .

Explanation:

Graphite has different properties from diamond due to the bonding between the carbon atoms. Graphite is slippery, black and a conductor . It is formed from layers of carbon atoms arranged in fused six- membered rings.

In a particular layer, each carbon atom is surrounded by three other carbon atoms forming a trigonal planar arrangement (`sp^2` hybridization with 120-degrees bond angles).

The unhybridized `2p` orbitals will combine to form closely spaced `pi` molecular orbitals which help in the stability and the electrical conductivity of the graphite (the molecular orbitals will work as conduction bands).

Little bonding between different layers of graphite (valence electrons of the carbon atoms are used in bonding within the layers) makes it possible for the layers to slide past one another (graphite is used as lubricants in locks).

`color(grey)("source: My teaching notes & Zumdhal textbook")`