Question

Graphite is a soft lubricant extremely difficult to melt. The reason for this anomalous behavior is that graphite :

• A. is a non-crystalline substance.
• B. is an allotropic form of diamond.
• C. has molecules of variable molecular masses like polymers.
• D. has strongly bound carbon atoms arranged in large plates of rings with weak bonds between the plates.

Answer 1

The correct option is D has strongly bound carbon atoms arranged in large plates of rings with weak bonds between the plates.

Graphite is a soft lubricant, extremely difficult to melt. The reason for this anomalous behavior is that graphite has carbon atoms arranged in large plates of rings of strongly bound carbon atoms with weak inter-plate bonds. The structure of graphite is shown in the figure.