Question

Name the allotropic form of carbon which is used:

in making carbon brushes of electric motors

Answer 1

• Graphite is used in making carbon brushes for electric motors.
• The main purpose of the carbon brushes in electric motors is to reduce the damage to electric motors.
• These brushes provide a pathway for current to flow by maintaining electrical contact between movable and immovable surfaces of the motor.
• As graphite is a good conductor of electricity, therefore graphite is used.
• The property of an element due to which it exists in different physical forms which have identical chemical properties but different physical properties is called allotropy. The different physical forms of that element are called allotropes.
• Example: Carbon is an element that shows the property of allotropy because it exists in different physical forms that have identical chemical properties but different physical properties.