Question

In diamond , carbon atoms are arranged in the shape of :
A.A crystal
B.Flat layers
C.Tetrahedron
D.A hollow cylinder

Answer 1

Hint: Diamond is an allotrope of carbon . Allotropes are different structural modifications of an element , which have different physical properties but identical chemical properties

Complete step by step answer:
Diamond is an allotrope of carbon which occurs naturally . It can also be prepared artificially but because of high cost and poor quality , they are seldom made artificially . It is the purest form of carbon .
In diamond each carbon atom is $s{p^3}$ hybridised . Since each carbon atom has four hybrid orbitals , each atom is tetrahedrally linked to four neighbouring carbon atoms through four strong $C - C$ , $s{p^3} - s{p^3}$ , sigma bonds . This network formed extends in three dimensions and is very rigid , thus the structure obtained is in the form of a tetrahedron .

So, the correct answer is Option C .

Additional Information:
Diamond has the following properties -
Bond length - Since it has $s{p^3}$ hybridisation , the $C - C$ bond length in diamond is $1.54{A^ \circ }$
Hardness - Diamond has high density and high melting point since it is very hard because of its structure
Conductivity - All the electrons in diamond are firmly held in $C - C$ , sigma bonds so there are no free electrons in diamond crystal and so it is a bad conductor of electricity .
Transparency - Diamond has a high refractive index $(2.5)$ and so can reflect and refract light and is therefore a transparent substance .

Note:
Diamond is the hardest substance known because of its structure . Because of this reason it has the highest thermal conductivity although it is a bad conductor of electricity . Since it has high thermal conductivity , diamond tipped tools do not overheat and so are used for drilling and cutting purposes .