Question

Diamond has a _______ structure while that of graphite is ________.

• A. hexagonal layered, octahedron
• B. tetrahedral, hexagonal layered
• C. tetrahedral, square pyramidal
• D. pentagonal, hexagonal layered

Answer 1

The correct option is B tetrahedral, hexagonal layered

Diamond is a crystalline allotrope of carbon in which each carbon atom is covalently bonded to four other carbon atoms. It forms a rigid 3D tetrahedral structure as shown below.

Graphite is another crystalline allotrope of carbon. In graphite, each carbon atom is covalently bonded to three other carbon atoms, thus forming a hexagonal layered structure. Each of these layers are joined together by weak van der Waals force.