Single crystals of metals will conduct electricity equally well in all directions but a single crystal of graphite will only conduct in one direction. Could anyone suggest a possible explanation for this in terms of the structures of the materials?
Thank you
2007-01-21 23:57:16 · 3 answers · asked by yummygummybear2006 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
A metal crystal contains a cloud of loosely held electrons orbiting metal atoms that are available to readily conduct electricity in any direction. Graphite is more like a stack of pancakes with the loosely held electrons located between the separate layers. The electrons are not as readily free to conduct electricity through the layers as through the space between layers.
2007-01-22 00:45:40 · answer #1 · answered by Kes 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Graphite has a layered molecular structure and there are very weak bonds between the layers.
2007-01-22 08:03:02 · answer #2 · answered by Del Piero 10 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Metals have overlapping valence and conduction bands.
2007-01-22 09:09:47 · answer #3 · answered by ag_iitkgp 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋