Question

"Two different forms of carbon - diamond and graphite have different structure and very different physical properties even though their chemical properties are same." Explain why.

Answer 1

Diamond and graphite are allotropes of carbon. Allotropes are several forms of an element with unique physical characteristics. The element carbon exists in nature in a variety of forms with varying physical characteristics but nearly the same chemical properties. 

Each carbon atom in the massive carbon molecule that makes up a diamond is connected to four other carbon atoms to form a rigid three-dimensional structure, which gives a diamond its extreme hardness. Each carbon atom in the layer that makes up the graphite crystal is linked to three more carbon atoms in the same plane, forming a hexagonal pattern. Hexagonal arrays are arranged in layers one on top of the other to create the graphite structure.