Crystalline structure of graphite contains sheets of carbon atoms held together

Question

Crystalline structure of graphite contains sheets of carbon atoms held together by strong chemical bonds. Between the individuals, sheets, however, are very weak bonds. This allows graphite to nreak quite easily, which is why it is one of the softest minerals. Humans have learned how to utilize graphites softness by grinding the mineral into a powder and mixing it with a little clay to make pencils--erroneously called lead pencils as they do not contain lead. Describe what you think happens on an atomic scale when you push a pencil across a piece of paper such that it leaves a thin trace of graphite.

Explanation / Answer

Graphite contains carbon in sp2 configuration i.e. hexagonal. But each carbon makes 3 bonds instead of the usual 4. This means each carbon delocalised an electron and we get layers of graphite molecules with electrons whizzling between them. The interaction is weak and layers can slide over each other.While writing one layer of graphite slips off onto the page and the free electron bind to cellulose molecule in the paper

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse C
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.