What are diamond and graphite?

1 Answer
May 23, 2018

These are "allotropes of carbon..."

Explanation:

These are both carbon allotropes...of remarkably different appearance. Graphite is non-molecular in two dimensions...

![http://lpmmc.grenoble.cnrs.fr](https://useruploads.socratic.org/RDzdNy20SMaYzJ96JWKp_graphite_1.png)

The graphite layers can move with respect to each other, and thus graphite can act as a LUBRICANT....

...whereas diamond is non-molecular in THREE dimensions.

![nicediamond.com](useruploads.socratic.org)

The strength of the carbon-carbon bonds in diamond makes diamond-tipped cutting tools very effective....