Allotropes of Carbon

Study Notes

Carbon exists in three main allotropes:
- Diamond
  - Graphite
  - Fullerenes
Diamond:
- Hardest substance known
- High melting and boiling points
- Poor conductor of electricity
Graphite:
- Soft and slippery
- Good conductor of electricity
- Used in pencil lead and lubricants
Fullerenes:
- Molecules composed of 60 or more carbon atoms
- Exist in a variety of shapes, including balls and tubes
- Have unique properties, such as superconductivity

Carbon forms covalent bonds with other atoms due to its four valence electrons
Types of covalent bonds formed by carbon:
- Single bonds (sigma bonds): formed by end-to-end overlap of atomic orbitals
- Double bonds (pi bonds): formed by side-by-side overlap of atomic orbitals
- Triple bonds: formed by both end-to-end and side-by-side overlap of atomic orbitals
Carbon can form long chains, branched chains, and rings due to its ability to form multiple covalent bonds

Combustion reactions involve the reaction of a carbon compound with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water
General equation for combustion reaction: CxHy + O2 → CO2 + H2O
Types of combustion reactions:
- Complete combustion: reaction produces only CO2 and H2O
- Incomplete combustion: reaction produces CO and/or other products in addition to CO2 and H2O
Factors affecting combustion reactions:
- Temperature: increases the rate of combustion
- Surface area: increases the rate of combustion
- Presence of catalysts: increases the rate of combustion

Carbon exists in three main allotropes: Diamond, Graphite, and Fullerenes.
Diamond is the hardest substance known, has high melting and boiling points, and is a poor conductor of electricity.
Graphite is soft and slippery, a good conductor of electricity, and is used in pencil lead and lubricants.
Fullerenes are molecules composed of 60 or more carbon atoms, exist in various shapes, and have unique properties like superconductivity.

Carbon forms covalent bonds with other atoms due to its four valence electrons.
Carbon forms three types of covalent bonds: Single bonds (sigma bonds), Double bonds (pi bonds), and Triple bonds.
Carbon can form long chains, branched chains, and rings due to its ability to form multiple covalent bonds.

Combustion reactions involve the reaction of a carbon compound with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water.
The general equation for combustion reaction is CxHy + O2 → CO2 + H2O.
There are two types of combustion reactions: Complete combustion and Incomplete combustion.
Factors affecting combustion reactions include Temperature, Surface area, and Presence of catalysts, which increase the rate of combustion.