Carbon Structures - Graphite
Chemistry: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 2.3.12
Graphite
Graphite is an allotrope (form) of carbon. Graphite has the following properties:
%202.3.2.1%20-%20The%20structure%20of%20graphite-min,w_800.jpg)
Covalent bonds
- Every carbon atom in graphite is bonded to 3 other carbon atoms by strong covalent bonds.
- This creates a giant covalent structure.
Graphite is soft
- The carbon atoms form layers of hexagonal (6-sided) rings, with weak intermolecular forces keeping the layers together.
- The layers can easily slide over one another, so graphite is very soft.
- This makes graphite useful as a lubricant and as pencil ‘lead’.
Graphite conducts electricity
- Each carbon atom forms 3 bonds.
- This means that there is 1 delocalised electron from every carbon atom.
- This electron can move freely, so graphite is a good electrical conductor.
Test yourself on Carbon Structures - Graphite
Graphite is...
Properties of graphite
Why does graphite conduct electricity?
Why can the layers of carbon atoms in graphite slide over each other easily?
Properties of graphite explained