Graphite is a soft solid lubricant extremely difficult to melt. The reason for this anomalous behaviour is that, graphite

Question

Graphite is a soft solid lubricant extremely difficult to melt. The reason for this anomalous behaviour is that, graphite (A) is a non-crystalline substance (B) is an allotropic form of diamond (C) has molecules of variable molecular masses like polymers (D) has carbon atoms arranged in large plates of rings of strongly bound carbon atoms with weak interplate bonds

Tardigrade Admin · Accepted Answer

C-atoms form covalently bonded plates (layers). Layers are bonded weakly together, that’s why one layer can slide over other cause lubricacy. Cannot be melted easily as large number of atoms being bonded strongly in the layer form big entity.

Q. Graphite is a soft solid lubricant extremely difficult to melt. The reason for this anomalous behaviour is that, graphite

is a non-crystalline substance

is an allotropic form of diamond

has molecules of variable molecular masses like polymers

has carbon atoms arranged in large plates of rings of strongly bound carbon atoms with weak interplate bonds

$C$ -atoms form covalently bonded plates (layers). Layers are bonded weakly together, that’s why one layer can slide over other cause lubricacy. Cannot be melted easily as large number of atoms being bonded strongly in the layer form big entity.