Question

Select the options which have the correct characteristics of graphite.

• A. It cannot conduct electricity.
• B. It is lustrous.
• C. It is grey in colour.
• D. It is volatile in nature.

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (C)

The correct options are
B

It is lustrous.

C

It is grey in colour.

(1) Every carbon atom in graphite is covalently bonded to three other carbon atom leaving one free electron. It is due to these free electrons from every carbon atom that graphite can conduct electricity.

(2) It is non-volatile in nature. This is because of the strong covalent bonds between the carbon atoms that require high amount of energy to break.

(3) It is grey in colour.

(4) It is lustrous due to the presence of free electrons in its structure.