Question

In graphite, the layers of carbon atoms are held by :

• A. covalent bonds
• B. coordinate bonds
• C. vander waals forces
• D. ionic bonds

Answer 1

The correct option is C vander waals forces

In graphite, each carbon atom is only covalently bonded to three other carbon atoms, rather than to four as in diamond. Graphite contains layers of carbon atoms. The layers slide over each other easily because there are only weak forces such as Van der Waals force between them, which makes graphite slippery.

Hence, the correct answer is option $\text{C}$.