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They have different structures.

They are both made up of Carbon (diamond has more Carbon atoms though) but the reason that graphite and diamond are so different in shape, hardness, etc, is due to how it is structured.

The carbon atoms themselves are identical, the inter-atom bonding is different.

  • Graphite - carbon atoms bond in flat hexagons that tessellate flat sheets.
  • Diamond - carbon atoms bond in cubes that form a cubic crystal solid.
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How can diamond and graphite both be carbon?

This is because the carbon atoms are arranged differently in diamond and graphite. In a diamond, the carbon atoms are in a three dimensional crystal lattice structure. In graphite, the carbon atoms are arranged in a two dimensional sheet.


How are diamonds and graphites different and the same?

Diamonds and graphite are both made of carbon atoms but have different structures. In diamonds, carbon atoms are arranged in a 3D network of covalent bonds, making it the hardest natural substance. On the other hand, graphite has carbon atoms arranged in layers with weak van der Waals forces between layers, giving it a slippery feel.


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Carbon. (C)Carbon is present in both diamond and graphite, both contain carbon atoms but they have different structure means carbon atoms are attach with each other in different manner in both diamond n graphite, in graphite three out of four electrons of outer most shell r attached with other electrons of other carbon atoms and one electron is fee that's why graphite is a good conductor of electricity .


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Diamond and graphite are polymorphic because they are composed of pure carbon atoms arranged in different crystal structures. In diamond, carbon atoms are arranged in a three-dimensional network of tetrahedral shapes, resulting in a hard and transparent structure. In graphite, carbon atoms are arranged in layered sheets that are weakly bonded between layers, giving graphite its lubricating properties and ability to conduct electricity.


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