Allotropes of carbon

Name three allotropes of carbon:

Buckminster Fullerene, Diamond, Graphite.

What are the properties of Graphite?

In Graphite each carbon atom is covalently bonded to 3 others. It has very high melting and boiling points because of strong covalent bonds. It is a good lubricant as it is soft and able to slide. Also it is a very good conductor of electricity because of delocalised electrons therefore used as an electrode in electrolysis. It is a giant molecular covalent structure.

What are the properties of Diamond?

In diamond each carbon atom is covalently bonded to 4 others. It has very high melting and boiling points because of strong covalent bonds, which make it difficult to break down. It is very hard and therefore can be used as a cutting tool. It is a giant molecular covalent structure. Is used as drill bits and in jewellery

What are the properties of Buckminster Fullerene?

It has weak intermolecular forces between molecules so has low melting and boiling points. They are also slippery and soft because of the same weak intermolecular forces.

What is an allotrope?

Different structural forms of the same element.