Allotropes Of Carbon

Question 1

• What are the three allotropes of carbon?

Answer 1

• Diamond, graphite and fullerene (substances with nano tubes and Bucky balls).

Question 2

• In all three what are the carbon atoms joined with?

Answer 2

• In all three the carbon atoms are joined with covalent bonds.
• Due to the different arrangements they have very different properties.

Question 3

• What are some properties of diamond?

Answer 3

• Diamond is one giant carbon molecule.
• It is colourless and transparent.
• Sparkles and reflects light.
• Insoluble and not a conductor of electricity.

Question 4

• What are some properties of graphite?

Answer 4

• Graphite is black, opaque and shiny.
• It contains layers of carbon and is very slippery.
• It is insoluble in water and is a good electrical conductor.

Question 5

• What are some properties of Nanotubes (fullerene).

Answer 5

• Nanotubes are molecular scale tubes of carbon arranged similarly to graphite.
• Has a high melting point and conducts electricity: