JEE Main Chemistry question

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

(A)Has molecules of variable molecular masses like polymers
(B)Has carbon atoms arranged in large plates of rings of strongly bound carbon atoms with weak interplate bondsCorrect
(C)Is a non-crystalline substance
(D)Is an allotropic form of diamond

Answer: (B)

Solution

Within each layer of graphite, carbon atoms are held by very strong covalent bonds in a continuous hexagonal network (giving a very high melting point), while the layers themselves are held together only by weak van der Waals

See the full step-by-step solution

Create a free account to read the complete working, and practise questions like this in a timed test.

Create a free account

Question ID VK-138704