Question

Give reason : Graphite is used as a lubricant?

Answer 1

Graphite:

• Graphite is an allotrope of carbon.
• It is a crystalline molecule.
• It exhibits the properties of both metals and non-metals.

Graphite being used as a lubricant:

• Graphite is composed of Graphene, which is bonded by flat hexagonal lattices.
• These are formed in layers that are held together by weak Van Der Waal's forces.
• Due to the presence of layers that are slippery, and can slide over each other by weak Van Der Waal's forces, Graphite is used as a lubricant.
• Thus graphite is used in Lead Pencils, Paints, Coatings, Lubricants, Electrodes, etc.
• The structure of Graphite can be given as:

Therefore due to the presence of layers that are slippery, and can slide over each other by weak Van Der Waal's forces, Graphite is used as a lubricant.