what is the similarities and differences of diamond and graphite?

The similarities of diamond and graphite.

1. Both of them are made up of carbon atoms.

2. Both of them have the structure of giant covalent network.

3. Both of them have high boiling points and melting points.

4. Both of them are insoluble in all common solvents.


The differences of diamond and graphite.

1. In diamond, each carbon atom forms 4 covalent bonds tetrahedrally with its neighboring carbon atoms. In graphite, each carbon atom forms 3 covalent bonds triangularly with its neighboring carbon atoms, and thus layers of carbon atoms are formed and the unshared electrons are delocalize above and below the layers.

2. Diamond cannot conduct electricity because all valence electrons are used in formation of covalent bonds. Graphite can conduct electricity because of the presence of delocalized electrons.

3. Diamond is hard enough to cut glass because all carbon atoms are held together by a network of strong covalent bonds. Graphite is soft to make pencil lead because the layers of carbon atoms are held together by weak van der Waals' forces.

4. Diamond is transparent, but graphite is black.

same thing, carbon. just that diamond is linked more roundly than graphite. the molecules in gra are in weak layers like a lasagne

Both are carbon based forms.