Why is graphite considered an element?
Why is graphite considered an element though??
Graphite is not considered an element, but rather a form of the element carbon. Carbon is a chemical element with the symbol C and atomic number 6. It is a nonmetallic element that has various allotropes, which are different forms of the same element.
Graphite is one of the most stable forms of carbon and is made up of layers of hexagonal carbon atoms arranged in a two-dimensional sheet. These sheets are weakly bonded to each other, allowing them to easily slide past one another. This unique structure gives graphite its characteristic properties, such as being soft, slippery, and a good conductor of electricity.
To determine whether a substance is an element, you can consult the periodic table of elements. The periodic table is a tabular arrangement of chemical elements, organized based on their atomic number, electron configuration, and recurring chemical properties.
In the periodic table, carbon is listed as element number 6, with its symbol C. This means that carbon is an element, and graphite is just one of its many forms. Other forms of carbon include diamond, buckminsterfullerene, and amorphous carbon.
In summary, graphite is not considered an element, but rather a form of the element carbon, which is listed as element number 6 on the periodic table.
Technically speaking graphite is not an element. Carbon is an element and graphite is pure carbon. Graphite is just another form of carbon. Graphite is an allotrope of carbon; diamond is another allotrope of carbon.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allotropes_of_carbon