Graphite and fullerenes - Higher tier

Graphite

Graphite is soft and slippery because there are only weak intermolecular forces between its layers.

From left to right - graphite, diamond, silica

Graphite is a good conductor of heat and electricity. This is because, like metals, graphite contains delocalised electrons. These electrons are free to move through the structure of the graphite.

Fullerenes

Structure of a buckminsterfullerene molecule - a large ball of 60 atoms

Carbon exists as graphite and diamond, but it can also form fullerenes. These are cages and tubes with different number of carbon atoms. Buckminsterfullerene is one type of fullerene. Its molecules are spherical and contain 60 carbon atoms.

Fullerenes may be used for drug delivery systems in the body, in lubricants and as catalysts.

The tube fullerenes are called nanotubes. These are very strong. They are useful in reinforcing structures where lightness and strength are needed - for example, in tennis racket frames.