Same carbon, different forms
Allotropes of carbon.
Two forms of carbon
Diamond and graphite are both forms of carbon.
Can one element exist in different forms with different properties?
What this lesson covers
The idea
Carbon can exist in different forms, each called an allotrope; diamond is the hardest natural substance with very high melting and boiling points, while graphite is a conductor of electricity.
Two forms of carbon
Diamond and graphite are both forms of carbon.
Can one element exist in different forms with different properties?
- Yes, it can
- No, one element has one form
- Only metals can
Forms of carbon
Open every tab.
One element, many forms
Carbon can exist in different forms, and each form is called an allotrope. Diamond and graphite are both made of carbon, but they behave very differently. Diamond is the hardest natural substance known. Graphite conducts electricity.
Carbon can exist in different forms, each called an allotrope; diamond is the hardest natural substance with very high melting and boiling points, while graphite is a conductor of electricity.
Notes
Carbon has different forms called allotropes: diamond (hardest natural substance, very high melting and boiling points) and graphite (conducts electricity).
Check yourself
Each different form of carbon is called ...
Which is the hardest natural substance known?
Which allotrope of carbon is a conductor of electricity?
Diamond and graphite are both forms of which element?
- an alloy. An alloy is a homogeneous mixture of two or more metals, or a metal and a non-metal.
- an allotrope — correct. Yes!
- a gangue. Gangue is the soil, sand and other impurities mixed with an ore.
- Graphite. Graphite is another allotrope of carbon; it is a conductor of electricity, and diamond is the hardest.
- Iodine. Iodine is a non-metal that is lustrous; diamond is the hardest natural substance known.
- Diamond — correct. Yes!
- Graphite — correct. Yes!
- Diamond. Diamond is known for hardness and very high melting and boiling points; graphite is the conductor.
- None of them. The book says graphite is a conductor of electricity.
- Sulphur. Sulphur is a different non-metal; diamond and graphite are allotropes of carbon.
- Carbon — correct. Yes!
- Iodine. Iodine is a different non-metal; diamond and graphite are allotropes of carbon.