Graphite’s exceptional properties: –
- Graphite is soft while covalent solid are hard.
- It is a conductor of electricity while covalent solids are non conductors.
Reason for its exceptional behaviour : –
Its exceptional properties are due to its typical structure.
Structure of graphite
Carbon atoms are arranged in different layers and each atom is covalently bonded to three of its neighbouring atoms in the same layer. The fourth valence electron of each atom is present between different layers and is free to move about. These free electrons make graphite a good conductor of electricity. Different layers can slide one over the other. This makes graphite a soft solid and a good solid lubricant
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