Explain in terms of bonding and structure the properties of graphite given that it is a good conductor, soft and has a very high melting point

It is a good conductor as there are delocalised electrons. It is soft as the layers are only held together by weak Van der Waals' forces so they can slide over one another. It has a high melting point as you need a high temperature to break the strong covalent bonds.

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Answered by Isabel C. Chemistry tutor

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