Crystal structure of diamond and graphite

Diamond and graphite provide a vivid demonstration of the importance of crystal structure to mineral properties. Both are composed of carbon, but differ in the bonding and arrangement of the atoms. Diamond is used as an abrasive because of its great hardness, whereas graphite is used as a lubricant. Diamond is the high pressure polymorph, and hence has the denser structure (specific gravity = 3.52 versus 2.23 for graphite).

Highlight one layer Revert

Diamond 4/m -3 2/m Diamond has a face-centered cubic structure. Compare it with silicon carbide (Salt page), which has the same arrangement of atoms but with two types of atoms.

Thomas Menard