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Diamond is so much harder than graphite because the carbon atoms in diamond are bonded to other carbon atoms tetrahedrally. In graphite, the carbon atoms are only bonded to three other carbon atoms and form sheets. There is one valence electron that wanders the surface which makes graphite a conductor.

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10y ago

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Why diamond cuts but graphite is cut while writing?

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Does graphite scratch gypsum?

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Is turning graphite into diamond exothermic?

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