Question

Explain why graphite is soft and diamond is hard

Answer 1

Answer:

The arrangement of carbon atoms in diamond follows a tetrahedral fashion. This means that each carbon atom is attached to 4 other carbon atoms, forming strong covalent bonds.

Answer 2

A diamond crystal is a giant molecule of carbon atoms. Each carbon atom in the diamond crystal is linked to four other carbon atoms by strong covalent bonds. The four surrounding atoms are at four vertices of a regular tetrahedron. This rigid structure of diamond makes it a very hard substance.

Graphite is soft because it has weak inter molecular forces between its layers.