Explain the difference in properties of diamond and graphite on the basis of their structures.
Diamond | Graphite |
It has a crystalline lattice | It has a layered lattice |
It acts as an electrical insulator. | It is a good conductor of electricity. |
It is made up of tetrahedral units. | It has a planar geometry. |
The C-C bond length in diamond is 154pm. | The C-C bond length is 141.5pm. |
It has a rigid covalent bond network which is difficult to break. | It is quite soft and its layers can be separated easily. |
Each carbon is sp3 hybridized. | Each carbon is sp2 hybridized. |