Asked by Master

Diamond and graphite contain only carbon atoms, yet they are very different objects with very different properties. Why are diamond and graphite different?
A.
Their atoms are arranged differently.
B.
They contain different atoms.
C.
They contain different elements.
D.
Their subatomic particles are different.

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
A. Their atoms are arranged differently.

Explanation: Diamond and graphite are allotropes of carbon — the same element but with different bonding/arrangements. In diamond each carbon is sp3‑bonded to four others in a rigid 3D network; in graphite each carbon is sp2‑bonded in planar hexagonal sheets with delocalized electrons between layers. These different structures give them very different properties.