Draw and explain the structure of diamond and graphite.
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Solution
Structure of diamond:
Diamond is the purest and hardest form of carbon.Its structure forms a giant molecule where each carbon atom is surrounded by four other carbon atoms.So each carbon atom is located in the centre of a regular tetrahedron.This network of carbon atom atoms extends in nature in three dimensions and provides it a very rigid structure.The hardness of diamond results due to the uniformity of C-C bond.All electrons are shared .Diamond is non
Structure of graphite:
Graphite is one of the softest mineral known.It is black and bluish-grey with a metallic lustre and greasy feel.In graphite each carbon is bonded to three other carbon forming hexagonal stacked one on other.Thus graphite has two dimensional octet or layered structure.
Within these layers each carbon atom is bonded to three other carbon by strong covalent thus fourth valence electron is free and this makes graphite good conductor of electricity.
Between the layers there are weak forces vander waal's forces .These layers slide over each other making graphite soft ,slippery and l
