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Why is graphite a good lubricant and diamond is an excellent abrasive?
Wiki User
∙ 8y ago
Because graphite forms layers and each layer, each carbon molecule is bonded to three other carbon molecules. The fourth electron to each atom is weakly bonded to the layer next to it. The structure allows the layers to slide past each other, making this element an excellent lubricant.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoGraphite and diamond are polymorphs, both composed of carbon, but with different atomic structures. The structure of graphite is sheet-like and extremely soft and weak, whild diamond's structure makes it extremely hard.
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoGraphite has weak bonds with a different structure while diamond has stronger bonds and a tetrahedral structure. :)
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoThe difference is in the way the carbon atoms are arranged among themselves.
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What is another way to use graphite?
If put under enough pressure it will turn into diamond. Pencil-lead is graphite these days, and some companies grind it into a powder for use as a lubricant.
Diamond is an insulator while graphite conducts electricity?
Diamond is considered the hardest mineral known to man, while graphite is one of the softest. Diamond is an excellent electrical insulator, while graphite is a good conductor of electricity. This is due to the way the carbon atoms are arranged in each mineral.
Differnce between diamond and graphite?
diamonds form a 3 dimensional latice. they also have have four bonds per atom. This makes a very strong material. graphite forms a 2 dimensional latice. it has 3 bonds per atoms (the fourth bond is added to the other three making partial double bonds). it forms sheets. it has excellent 2-d strength: it is what is used in carbon fibers. it also is an excellent lubricant because the sheets slide on one another. fullerenes are like graphite, but the small sheets are wrapped up into small balls or tubes. this gives them 3 d strength on a nano scale. But they lack large scale 3d properties
What is the structural difference between a diamond and graphite?
graphite has hexagonal crystals and diamond tetrahedron
Why are diamond and graphite polymorphic?
Diamond and Graphite are different states of the same element, Carbon.
Why graphite is a good lubricant and diamond is an excellent abrasive?
The crystalline structure of graphite and diamond are the cause of these properties.
Which can be used as a lubricant - graphite or diamond?
graphite
What do diamonds and pencil lead have in common?
Graphite is in pencils, and Graphite is made up of Carbon Atoms, the same as Diamond, the only difference is its structure, Diamond has 4 covalent Carbon Bonds, whereas, graphite as 3, and a spare delocalised electron, meaning, graphite forms layers and can be used as a lubricant.
Which is the best reason for the difference between the properties of diamond and graphite?
Graphite and diamonds are both network covalent carbon chains. The only difference is the structure of each. Graphite is very soft and is used as a lubricant, due to the fact that its carbon atoms are bonded together in layers which slide apart easily. Diamond, however, is very abrasive, because its carbons are all bonded to each other in a very rigid fashion.
What is another way to use graphite?
If put under enough pressure it will turn into diamond. Pencil-lead is graphite these days, and some companies grind it into a powder for use as a lubricant.
Diamond is an insulator while graphite conducts electricity?
Diamond is considered the hardest mineral known to man, while graphite is one of the softest. Diamond is an excellent electrical insulator, while graphite is a good conductor of electricity. This is due to the way the carbon atoms are arranged in each mineral.
Is turning graphite into diamond exothermic?
Diamonds are formed from carbon, and so is graphite. The only time graphite is 'converted' to diamond is when a meteorite strikes earth. This can produce flakes of industrial diamonds that can be used by manufacturers to enhance tool usefulness, precision, and abrasive power.
What is the graphite?
a form of the element carbon (just like diamond is pure carbon). Graphite is used (with clays) in the lead of pencils, as a lubricant, for crucibles (vessels to hold high temperature molten metals), and a host of other things..
What are a diamond's properties?
Diamond is the hardest, strongest and the most abrasive resistant thing found on the earth . it is used in jewelry and also cutting hard objects especially carbides and also the graphite is the smoothest substance found on earth.
What does graphite turn into when put under pressure?
Diamond, which like , graphite, is an allotrope of carbon . If you heat diamond it weill turn to graphite.
Why is diamond used as abrasive?
Diamond is the hardest natural mineral, and its abrasive quality can be precise and long-lasting,
The chemical composition of graphite and diamond is?
Graphite and Diamonds are both allotropes of Carbon.
