Mondo Knows Facts
Diamond and graphite are made of identical carbon atoms
Vastly different crystal bonding arrangements give carbon contrasting physical traits
Diamond and graphite consist purely of elemental carbon, yet possess dramatically different properties due to their structural allotropy. In diamond, each carbon atom bonds to four neighbours in a rigid three-dimensional tetrahedral lattice, making it extremely hard. In graphite, carbon atoms form weak stacked planar sheets that slide easily over one another.
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Tags: chemistry, carbon, allotropes
Diamond and graphite are made of identical carbon atoms: the short answers
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- Vastly different crystal bonding arrangements give carbon contrasting physical traits. The figure is taken from USGS, which is linked in full on this page. Every fact on Mondo Knows names its source rather than repeating an unsourced claim.
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