What is the difference between graphite and diamonds?
In one respect, nothing; they both are made up of pure carbon atoms. But there the similarity ends, and it is said that no other two minerals on Earth, of the same base, have such diverse properties. 1) Diamonds have very tightly electrically bonded atoms, while graphite’s atoms are far apart with weak bonds to hold them together. 2) Diamonds have a specific gravity of 3.5 while graphite has 2.2. 3) Diamonds are hard, lustrous and transparent, graphite is soft, opaque and dull. 4) Diamonds are non-metallic, graphite is metallic.
