Graphite Chemical Model

By: Robyn Brooks and Kiy Anthony Graham , Adrian Knight- Johnson & Kelly Brown.

© Theodore G

ray

Ancient and modern methods for getting the “lead” (really graphite) into pencils.

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: Ada

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Graphite forms in metamorphosed

sedimentary rocks as an alteration of organic

material.

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marble

metamorphosed coal (anthracite)

quartzite

schist

gneiss

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books

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© Theodore G

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The

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Soft and greasy-feeling, graphite is usually found in lumps…

Graphite is mined. by

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…but occasionally in crystals.

GRAPHITE

Common form of carbon found in soot, charcoal, pencil leads etc

Carbon atoms each joined to 3 others with STRONG bonds to make hexagonal sheets of atoms

The sheets of atoms are joined to other sheets by WEAK bonds

STRONG BONDS

WEAK BONDS

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The forces that loosely hold graphite together are named after Johannes Diderik van der Waals.

On an atomic level, graphite has a sheet-like structure where carbon atoms lie in

sheets that are only weakly bonded to the overlying and underlying carbon sheets.

Geckos can climb vertical surfaces for the same

reason graphite sheets stick together:

Van Der Waals forces.

public domain

public domain

US

EP

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Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Laboratory

Graphite can withstand high heat. Therefore, it has a high boiling

and melting point.

public domain

Graphite crucibles of different sizes. These crucibles can

withstand temperatures up to 1500°C.

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Graphite is in generators, as the carbon brushes that conduct electricity.

by-nc-nd: ingoism

© T

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Made in the late 1910s, the filament in this bulb has a graphite paste baked over a carbon core.

Graphite is a good electrical conductor.

Sandia C

orporation

silicon/graphite electrode

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Some paints contain graphite.

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30_Tsitika

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State of C

alifornia

Alkaline batteries contain graphite

rods.

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Dan

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DoD

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In this photo, decontamination technicians remove the lead and graphite blocks from a

nuclear reactor vessel. Graphite is used in nuclear

power plants.

by: lisaschaos