iv.2. Allotropes of Carbon: Exploring Diamond, Graphite, and Fullerene Structures
- Meaning: The phenomenon of the existence of the same element in different physical forms with similar chemical properties is known as allotropy.
- Some elements like carbon, sulphur, phosphorus, etc., exhibit this phenomenon.
- Crystalline Allotropes of Carbon: It includes diamond, graphite and fullerene.
- Amorphous Allotropes of Carbon: It includes coal, coke, charcoal, lamp black and gas carbon.
- Diamond: Diamond has a regular tetrahedral geometry.
- This is because each carbon is connected to four neighboring carbon atoms via single covalent bonds, resulting in a single unit of a crystal.
- These crystal units lie in different planes and are connected to each other, resulting in a rigid three-dimensional cubic pattern of the diamond.
- It is a good conductor of heat but a poor conductor of electricity.
- Graphite: Graphite has a soft and slippery feel and it is a good conductor of electricity.
- C60: C60, also known as Buckminsterfullerene, is the very popular and stable form of the known fullerenes.
- It is the most common naturally occurring fullerene and can be found in small quantities in soot.
- It consists of 60 carbon atoms arranged in 12 pentagons and 20 hexagons, like in a soccer ball.
- These allotropes highlight the extraordinary diversity and properties of carbon and its compounds in various physical states.