Each substance has a unique set of properties that depends on the kinds of atoms it has and how the atoms are connected, or bond
ed. Bonding is related to the electrons in an atom, and there are different kinds of bonds. As a result, some substances can have the same atoms but different bonds. Substances that are different but have the same atoms are called allotropes. Allotropes have very different properties. Diamond and graphite are well-known allotropes. Graphite is used in pencils for writing and is sometimes called lead. Diamond is colorless and transparent, and is one of the hardest substances known. Graphite is dark gray and soft. When we write, layers of graphite easily transfer from the pencil to the paper. Although they’re different, diamond and graphite each only contain one kind of atom—carbon. How do you think the bonds between carbon atoms might be different in diamond and graphite? Use household materials to build physical models to help you develop your ideas. Describe what you learned from your models. What other kinds of allotropes are there? What kinds of properties and atomic bonds do they have? Explian.
Both diamond and graphite are allotropes of carbon. Diamond has a high tensile strength but graphite does not.
<h3>What is a molecular model?</h3>
A molecular model is used to describe the actual behavior of a chemical compound based on the kind of bonds that exists in the molecule. Now we are talking about diamond and graphite.
Graphite is composed of hexagonal rings of carbon atoms that form layers that are held together by weak Van Der Walls forces hence they can slide over each other. This is the reason why graphite does not have a high tensile strength.
On the other hand, diamond is made up of octagonal rings of carbon atoms which are rigid and form a strong covalent network solid that explains why graphite has a high tensile strength.
By going from the top to the bottom of a group, the atomic number increases. That would mean that:
The number of orbitals increases, as there are more electrons.
A higher atomic number implies an increasing number of neutrons.
As there are more electrons, they get farther from the nucleus. The farther an electron is from the nucleus, the easier it is for the electron to be removed from the atom.
