Question

Name two crystalline forms of carbon.

Answer 1

• Crystalline forms have a definite geometric shape when broken. Each piece has a sharp edge and a plane surface.
• The examples of crystalline forms of carbon are diamond and graphite.
• In diamond, one carbon atom is covalently bonded to four other carbon atoms.
• In graphite, one carbon atom is covalently bonded to three other carbon atoms to form a hexagonal array. It is soft and slippery and is used as a lubricant in automobiles.
• In diamond, one carbon atom is covalently bonded to four other carbon atoms to form a tetrahedral structure. It is the hardest naturally occurring substance.