Interpretation:
The structure and properties that arise from the respective structures of diamond and graphite should be explained.
Concept introduction:
- The different physical forms in which an element can exist are termed as allotropes.
- Carbon exists in 3 forms: graphite, diamond and fullerene (C60).
- In each of the three forms, carbon atoms are linked together via covalent bonds. However, they differ in the arrangement of C-C bonds and the shape of the molecules.
Answer to Problem 1CO
Solution:
Diamond forms a three dimensional lattice like structure, whereas graphite forms two dimensional sheet like structures.
Explanation of Solution
In the structure of diamond each carbon atom is linked to four other carbon atoms forming a three dimensional network of strong covalent bonds. As a result diamond, is one of the hardest elements on earth. It has a high density and a high melting point.
In graphite, each carbon atom is linked to three other carbon atoms resulting in the formation of sheet like structures that are weakly held by vander-waals forces. In contrast to diamond, graphite is a soft material with low density and a low melting point.
Conclusion:
Hence, a difference in the arrangement of the carbon atoms imparts different properties to diamond and graphite.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 8 Solutions
Chemistry for Engineering Students
- The test tubes shown here contain equal amounts of the specified motor oils. Identical metal spheres were dropped at the same time into each of the tubes, and a brief moment later, the spheres had fallen to the heights indicated in the illustration. Rank the motor oils in order of increasing viscosity, and explain your reasoning:arrow_forwardAn amorphous solid can sometimes be converted to a crystalline solid by a process called annealing. Annealing consists of heating the substance to a temperature just below the melting point of the crystalline form and then cooling it slowly. Explain why this process helps produce a crystalline solid.arrow_forwardAt 20. C the vapor pressure of white phosphorus is 0.0254 mmHg; at 40. C it is 0.133 mmHg. Use the Clausius-Clapeyron equation to estimate the heat of sublimation (J/mol) of white phosphorus.arrow_forward
- 8.13 What is the coordination number of atoms in the diamond structure?arrow_forwardA common prank on college campuses is to switch the salt and sugar on dining hall tables, which is usually easy because the substances look so much alike. Yet, despite the similarity in their appearance, these two substances differ greatly in their properties, since one is a molecular solid and the other is an ionic solid. How do the properties differ and why?arrow_forwardExplain why the chemically similar alkali metal chlorides NaCl and CsCl have different structures, whereas the chemically different NaCl and MnS have the same structure.arrow_forward
- Chemistry for Engineering StudentsChemistryISBN:9781337398909Author:Lawrence S. Brown, Tom HolmePublisher:Cengage LearningPhysical ChemistryChemistryISBN:9781133958437Author:Ball, David W. (david Warren), BAER, TomasPublisher:Wadsworth Cengage Learning,Introductory Chemistry: An Active Learning Approa...ChemistryISBN:9781305079250Author:Mark S. Cracolice, Ed PetersPublisher:Cengage Learning
- Chemistry: The Molecular ScienceChemistryISBN:9781285199047Author:John W. Moore, Conrad L. StanitskiPublisher:Cengage LearningChemistry by OpenStax (2015-05-04)ChemistryISBN:9781938168390Author:Klaus Theopold, Richard H Langley, Paul Flowers, William R. Robinson, Mark BlaserPublisher:OpenStaxWorld of Chemistry, 3rd editionChemistryISBN:9781133109655Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan L. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCostePublisher:Brooks / Cole / Cengage Learning