Chapter 17, Problem 11STP

To determine

To Explain: The term allotrope.

To identify: The allotrope of carbon from the given figure.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Allotrope of an element are the different physical or structural forms in which the same element can exist.

It is defined as the element existence in two or more forms with different physical properties as well as chemical properties. The change in allotrope forms is caused due to the same forces that influence the other structures like, temperature, pressure and light.

Carbon has the capability to form many allotropes because of its valency. There are two allotrope of carbon that exists in solid state. They are diamond and graphite.

Consider the two structure shown below.

  

In the above figure, leftmost structure represents graphite while rightmost structure represents diamond.

Diamond is the well-known carbon allotrope that is used in industrial as well as for making jewellery due to its hardness and high dispersion of light property.

Graphite is the most common and stable carbon allotrope. It is an electrical conductor and thus used for making electrodes.