0About:
Graphite is an allotrope of carbon, which is black or bluish grey with a metallic lustre and or greasy feel. It occurs in igneous and metamorphic rocks, such as marble.
Structure:
Each carbon is bonded to only three neighboring carbon atoms in the same plane forming layers of hexagonal networks separated by comparatively larger distance. The different layers are held together by weak forces, called vanderwaal’s forces. The layers can therefore, easily slide over one another. This makes graphite lubricating, soft and greasy to touch.
Properties:
(A) It is soft and greasy in touch.
(B) Its specific gravity is 2.25 (generally).
(C) It is grayish black and opaque.
(D) It is a good conductor of heat and electricity.
(E) It occurs in hexagonal layers.
(F) It is stable and has high melting point.
