Mention the respective properties… | Chemistry

Question 1 Report

Mention the respective properties of the following allotropes of carbon that account for their uses as indicated:

(a) diamond used for drilling rocks;

(b) diamond used as jewels;

(d) graphite used for slowing down neutrons in nuclear reactors;

(e) wood charcoal used in gas masks.

Answer

Answer Details

(a) Diamond for drilling rocks: diamond is extremely hard (the hardest natural substance) because each carbon atom is covalently bonded to four others in a rigid three-dimensional structure, so it can cut and drill hard rocks.
(b) Diamond as jewels: diamond has a very high refractive index and disperses light strongly, so it sparkles brilliantly when cut, making it valuable as a gem.
(c) Graphite as electrodes: graphite is a good conductor of electricity (it has delocalised/mobile electrons between its layers) and has a high melting point, so it is used as an inert electrode.
(d) Graphite for slowing down neutrons in nuclear reactors: graphite is a good moderator; its carbon atoms slow down fast neutrons without absorbing them, and it withstands the high temperatures involved.
(e) Wood charcoal in gas masks: wood charcoal is highly porous with a very large surface area, so it adsorbs (takes onto its surface) poisonous gases, purifying the air breathed.

Mention the respective properties of the following allotropes of carbon that account for their uses as indicated: (a) diamond used for drilling rocks; (b) d...