Graphite molecular structure, illustration. Graphite is a form (allotrope) of the element carbon. Graphite is used in pencil leads and as a lubricant.
Graphite molecular structure, illustration. Graphite is a form (allotrope) of the element carbon. Graphite is used in pencil leads and as a lubricant. It is composed of parallel layers of hexagonally arranged carbon atoms (spheres). Within each layer the carbon atoms are linked by strong covalent bonds, while the parallel layers are linked together by weak Van der Waals' forces. This Van der Waals' bonding is strong enough to hold the layers together, yet weak enough to let them slide over each other. This results in graphite's softness and its ability to act as a lubricant. For illustrations showing the hexagonal unit cell, see images C042/4538 to C042/4541.
Size: 6698px × 5171px
Photo credit: © MIKKEL JUUL JENSEN/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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