Question
Question: In diamond , carbon atoms are arranged in the shape of : A.A crystal B.Flat layers C.Tetrahedr...
In diamond , carbon atoms are arranged in the shape of :
A.A crystal
B.Flat layers
C.Tetrahedron
D.A hollow cylinder
Solution
Diamond is an allotrope of carbon . Allotropes are different structural modifications of an element , which have different physical properties but identical chemical properties
Complete step by step answer:
Diamond is an allotrope of carbon which occurs naturally . It can also be prepared artificially but because of high cost and poor quality , they are seldom made artificially . It is the purest form of carbon .
In diamond each carbon atom is sp3 hybridised . Since each carbon atom has four hybrid orbitals , each atom is tetrahedrally linked to four neighbouring carbon atoms through four strong C−C , sp3−sp3 , sigma bonds . This network formed extends in three dimensions and is very rigid , thus the structure obtained is in the form of a tetrahedron .
So, the correct answer is Option C .
Additional Information:
Diamond has the following properties -
Bond length - Since it has sp3 hybridisation , the C−C bond length in diamond is 1.54A∘
Hardness - Diamond has high density and high melting point since it is very hard because of its structure
Conductivity - All the electrons in diamond are firmly held in C−C , sigma bonds so there are no free electrons in diamond crystal and so it is a bad conductor of electricity .
Transparency - Diamond has a high refractive index (2.5) and so can reflect and refract light and is therefore a transparent substance .
Note:
Diamond is the hardest substance known because of its structure . Because of this reason it has the highest thermal conductivity although it is a bad conductor of electricity . Since it has high thermal conductivity , diamond tipped tools do not overheat and so are used for drilling and cutting purposes .