Explanation on The Structure of Diamond

Diamond

Diamond is probably one of the substances that hardly go unnoticed. The jewel had long held its popularity throughout all cultures where its presented itself. It is strong, beautiful, much adorned and greatly appreciated of its profitability and zany structure.

• Diamond wholely consist of one element - carbon , unless it is contaminated but it is the structure in which the atoms are arranged that gives its properties. 
• The carbon atoms fit in a tetrahedral construction where each carbon atom bonds with 4 surrounding carbon atoms. This formation replicates many thousand times to create what we know as a diamond. 
• The bonding type is covalent. Nonetheless, the substance is strong and has a high melting and boiling point. 

The structure is as below :

When diamonds are contaminated by other elements ( most commonly by Nitrogen ), the gem becomes less limpid and would often take a color. This results in diamonds such as the famous Graff Pink. 

Explanation On the Structure Of Graphite

GRAPHITE

Graphite is the substance widely found in pencil leads, lubricants and for electrolysis in separating various compounds.

• The carbon atoms in graphite are arranged in a hexagonal structure where one carbon atom forms covalent bond with three surrounding atoms.  
• Now let us remember that carbon has a valency of 4 and can make four bonds. Therefore, as carbon had only made 3 bonds, the other free electron floats freely between two layers of carbon plates ( see below ). This free electron is delocalised and mobile thus can conduct electricity and gives graphite the property of an Electric Conductor despite being a non-metal.
• A force is created between these two layers of carbon with the aid of the electrons known as Van Der Waal forces.

In the case of pencils, it is layered structure of carbon  and the weak Van Der Waal forces that gives its slippery property to glide your pencil in your work. Still, this graphite is not pure but mixed with heated clay in order to give a darker color and better shades. 

In the case of electrolysis, it is the delocalised electron of carbon that allows electricity to pass through and avail in the task.