CARBON AND ITS

ALLOTROPES

Class 8
Chapter 9
CARBON IN NATURE
 WHAT IS
ALLOTROPY?
the existence of two or more
different physical forms of a
chemical element.

The different physical forms of an

element are known as allotropic
forms or allotropes.
They have different physical
properties but same chemical
properties.
 CARBON
Allotropes of
carbon Crystalline
Amorphous
forms

Graphite Charcoal

Diamond Lamp black

Fullerene Coal
LET’S FOCUS ON CRYSTALLINE FORMS
Structure
• In diamond each carbon atom is
joined to four other C-atoms such
that all five atoms form a
tetrahedron.
• This basic unit of diamond
structure repeats and extends
itself in all directions, thus forming
an octahedral shape.
• This results in a tightly packed
three-dimensional rigid structure.
Properties
• Transparent and colourless solid.
• It is hardest known natural substance.
• It has high melting and boiling point.
• It is poor conductor of heat and electricity.
• It is insoluble in all solvents and remains unaffected by acids and
alkalis.
• It has a high refractive index (2.4). Thus, it can sharply bend the light
rays passing through it. It is because of this property cut and polished
diamond sparkles brightly.
Uses
• It is used in making cutting and drilling tools.
• Diamond with pointed edges are used by eye surgeons for removal
of cataract.
• It is used in making thin tungsten wires which are used as bulb
filaments.
• It stops harmful radiations from passing through it. Therefore, it is
used to make protective windows in spacecrafts.
 Questions

1. In diamond, one carbon atom is bonded to ___________________

2. Diamond is _____________ in all solvents.
3. Why diamond is known as hardest natural substance?
4. Why diamond cannot conduct electricity?
5. Why diamonds sparks brightly?
Structure
• In graphite, each carbon atom is
bonded to three carbon atoms.
• These form hexagonal planar rings.
• These hexagonal planes are arranged
one above the other giving rise to
hexagonal layered structure.
• Within layer C-atoms are bonded
with strong forces of attraction.
However, layers are bonded with
weak forces of attractions.
Properties
• It is a natural, greyish-black coloured, opaque and crystalline substance. It is
soft and slippery to touch and possesses a metallic lustre.
• It is good conductor of heat and electricity, since each of its carbon atoms
has one free valence electron.
• It has high melting and boiling point.
• At high temperature and pressure and in the presence of some catalyst,
graphite changes into diamond.
• It is insoluble in any solvent and remains unaffected by acids and alkalis.
Uses
• It is used in making the core of lead pencils.
• It is used as lubricant in fast moving parts of machinery.
• It is used as a moderator in nuclear reactors to slow down the speed of
neutrons.
• It is used as electrodes in batteries and electric furnaces.
• It is used to make crucibles (melting pot) for melting metals.
 Questions

1. In graphite, one carbon atom is bonded to ___________________

2. Within layer, C-atoms are bonded with _________ forces of attraction.
However, layers are bonded with __________ forces of attractions.
3. How graphite can be changed to diamond?
4. Why graphite is good conductor of electricity?
5. Graphite can be used as lubricant. Give reason.
 Write differences between
graphite and diamond.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuinLNKkknI

(Refer Page 133)

Structural features
• The number of carbon atoms in its molecule can vary from 20 to 900.
• One of the most common fullerene contains 60 atoms of carbon. It has a molecular structure that
looks like a football (soccer).
• It is known as Bukminster Fullerene. It is also known as buckyballs because of its spherical
structure.

Uses
• It is used as insulator.
• Some compounds of fullerene are used as superconductors.
• It is used as a catalyst.
• Let’s revise
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_3fvq4EYpE