Diamond and Graphite have the sameGroup of answer choicesHardness.Cleavage.Chemical composition.Internal arrangement of atoms.
Question
Diamond and Graphite have the same
- Group of answer choices
- Hardness.
- Cleavage.
- Chemical composition.
- Internal arrangement of atoms.
Solution
When comparing diamond and graphite, it is essential to understand the fundamental differences and similarities between them. Both substances are forms of carbon, but they exhibit distinct physical properties due to variations in their atomic arrangements.
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Hardness: Diamond is renowned for its exceptional hardness—ranking 10 on the Mohs scale—making it one of the hardest naturally occurring materials. In contrast, graphite is very soft (ranking 1-2 on the Mohs scale) and can easily be scratched or marked.
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Cleavage: Diamond has no cleavage planes, which means it does not break along specific lines. In contrast, graphite has a distinct cleavage and can easily split into thin sheets along specific planes due to the weak bonding between its layers of carbon atoms.
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Chemical Composition: Both diamond and graphite are composed solely of carbon atoms; therefore, their chemical composition is identical in terms of the elements present.
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Internal Arrangement of Atoms: The key difference lies in the arrangement of carbon atoms. In a diamond, each carbon atom is tetrahedrally bonded to four other carbon atoms, forming a three-dimensional network. Graphite, on the other hand, consists of layers of carbon atoms arranged in a two-dimensional hexagonal lattice, with weak van der Waals forces between the layers.
Conclusion
The only aspect in which diamond and graphite are identical is their chemical composition, as both are composed entirely of carbon. The differences in hardness, cleavage, and internal arrangement of atoms are critical in distinguishing these two allotropes of carbon.
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