Please explain why graphite is able to conduct electricity

Graphite is an allotrope of carbon. The structure of graphite is a honeycomb structure where each carbon is covalently bonded to 3 other carbons. Given that carbon is able to make 4 bonds, there is one free electron per carbon. In graphite, this electron is delocalised which means that it is free to move. Electricity is a flow of charged particles therefore when a potential is applied across graphite, these electrons can move and therefore conduct electricity.

Answered by Laura L. Chemistry tutor

6226 Views

See similar Chemistry GCSE tutors

Related Chemistry GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How does an increase in concentration affect the rate of reaction


An unknown compound burns with a lilac flame and produces a yellow precipitate when mixed with dilute nitric acid and silver nitrate. Give the formula of the compound.


Explain how we can increase the rate of a chemical reaction.(6 marks)


Explain why ionic compounds such as potassium sulfide have high boiling points and conduct electricity when dissolved in water?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences