Group 14 (carbon family): allotropes of carbon, CO, CO2, silicones, silicates
p-Block Elements · Chemistry
Study notes
Diamond is hard and insulating; graphite is soft and conducting. Both pure carbon — explain. Step 1: Diamond: each C sp³-bonded to 4 neighbours in a rigid 3D network — no free electrons. Step 2: Graphite: each C sp²-bonded in flat sheets; one p electron per C delocalised over the sheet. Step 3: Delocalised electrons conduct electricity; weak interlayer forces let sheets slide (lubricant, pencil marks). Step 4: Bonding geometry decides everything — allotropy in action!
Related topics
- Group 13 (boron family): borax, boric acid, diborane, aluminium compounds
- Group 15 (nitrogen family): ammonia, oxides of nitrogen, nitric acid, phosphorus allotropes, phosphoric acid
- Group 16 (oxygen family): ozone, sulphur allotropes, sulphuric acid, oxides
- Group 17 (halogens): chlorine, HCl, oxoacids of halogens, interhalogen compounds
- Group 18 (noble gases): xenon fluorides and oxides
- Inert pair effect