Question

Give two uses of:
A. Graphite
B. Diamond

Answer 1

Hint: Carbon is the most abundant element existing on earth. There are different allotropic forms of carbon out of them two allotropic forms are graphite and diamond. They are normally stable solids.

Complete step-by-step answer:
A. Graphite: The other name of graphite is black lead or plumbago. The structure of graphite represents a layer of six carbon atoms attached to the other three carbon atom arranged in a hexagonal form and linked to each other by a covalent bond. Due to the weak forces between the atoms, the layer can slip with each other. The carbon atom has one electron free which makes them a good conductor.
The uses of graphites are shown below.
1. Graphite is used in the manufacturing of pencils and lubricants.
2. It is applied in making electrodes for electric furnaces.
B. Diamond:Diamond is the purest allotrope of carbon where one carbon is attached to four other carbon atoms and in a tetrahedral fashion. This continuous arrangement leads to a three-dimensional structure of a diamond. Diamond is also the hardest allotrope as the carbon atoms are bonded together with very strong covalent bonds.
The uses of diamonds are shown below.
1. Diamond is used in making different jewellery as a gem. 2. Due to hardness, it is used for cutting and drilling purposes.

Note: Both the diamond and graphite occur naturally. The allotropes of carbon are mined from the earth for industrial purposes as they are produced inside the earth by geothermal processes.