Question

give reasons for the following :
(i) the total number of compounds formed by carbon exceeds the total number of compounds formed by all other elements.
(ii) graphite is good conductor of electricity whereas diamond does not conduct electricity.

Answer 1

i))carbon forms large no.of compounds because of 2 reasons ...

1) catenation ...- the property of self linking

2) tetravalency

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ii)) graphite conducts electricity because

in graphite the carbon atoms are joined to 3 other electrons ..and one electron is free ..

since Theres is a free electron in its valence shell ...it conducts electricity

whereas in diamond ..its atom is joined to 4 other ..hence no free electrons and no electrical conductivity