Question

Which of the following is a good conductor of electricity: (a) diamond (b) graphite

Answer 1

(a) Diamond

1. In diamond, four Carbon atom is joined to other four Carbon atom by covalent bond forming a tetrahedral arrangement.
2. No free electrons are present in the Carbon.
3. Due to the absence of free electrons Diamond is a poor conductor of electricity.

(b) Graphite

1. In a Graphite molecule, three Carbon atoms is linked to other three Carbon atoms by a covalent bond forming a hexagonal ring. The fourth valence electron of each Carbon atom is present between different layers and is free to move.
2. Due to the availability of free electrons, Graphite behaves as a good conductor of electricity.

Therefore, Graphite is a good conductor of electricity.