Correct option is C
The correct answer is (c) Diamond
Explanation:
Diamond is an allotropic form of carbon, meaning it is one of the different structural forms in which carbon exists. Carbon has several allotropes, including diamond, graphite, and fullerenes. These allotropes differ in their atomic arrangement and properties.
- Diamond has a tetrahedral structure, where each carbon atom is covalently bonded to four other carbon atoms.
- This structure gives the diamond its hardness and high melting point.
- It is a poor conductor of electricity due to the absence of free electrons but has excellent thermal conductivity.
Information Booster:
Allotropes of Carbon:
- Diamond – Hardest natural substance, transparent, and used in jewelry and industrial cutting tools.
- Graphite – Soft, black, and slippery; used in pencils, lubricants, and electrodes.
- Fullerenes – Spherical molecules (like buckyballs) used in nanotechnology and medicine.
- Graphene – A single layer of carbon atoms, highly conductive and strong.
- Carbon Nanotubes – Cylindrical structures with high strength and conductivity.
Additional Knowledge:
- Gypsum: A calcium sulfate mineral (CaSO₄·2H₂O) used in making plaster of Paris and cement.
- Chalk: A form of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), commonly used for writing on blackboards and in the production of lime.
- Marble: A metamorphic rock composed mainly of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), used in architecture and sculpture. .