Question

Why does graphite conduct electricity whereas diamond does not?

Answer 1

Graphite conducts electricity whereas diamond does not because in diamond the carbon atoms are bonded to other carbon atoms and all the valence electrons are bonded. whereas in graphite each carbon atom is only bonded to three other atoms. therefore, there are delocalized (free) electrons in graphite due to 1 free valence electron in each carbon atom, which can move and carry a charge so graphite conducts electricity.