Question

Why is graphite a good conductor of electricity and a good lubricant?

Answer 1

Graphite:

• Graphite is an allotrope of carbon.
• In graphite, each carbon atom is attached to three other carbon atoms by a single covalent bond, and the fourth valency is satisfied by a double bond. So, hybridization of each carbon atom is $s{p}^2$.
• The structure of graphite consists of a layer of a hexagonal array formed when each carbon atom is connected to three other carbon atoms in the same plane.
• Structure of graphite:

Graphite is a good conductor of electricity and a good lubricant

• The graphite structure is made up of hexagonal arrays placed one on top of the other.
• In graphite, only three carbon atoms are directly bonded to one another through single covalent bonds while the fourth electron is relatively free and can move from one carbon atom to another.
• Since the layers of graphite may slide over one another, it creates a slippery surface.
• With these free electrons, graphite is a good conductor of electricity and a good lubricant.