NEET 2022 Physics and Chemistry

The correct statement about diamond and graphite is "Diamond is mathrm‌sp3 hybridized and graphite is sp ‌2 hybridized".As in diamond -

• - 3-D structures of carbon atoms joined together by covalent bonds are found.
• - Each carbon atom is tetrahedrally connected to other carbon atoms with a covalent bond.
• - Thus, the hybridization of each carbon atom in diamond is sp3.

In the case of graphite -

• - It is a 2-D structure of carbon atoms joined together in form of layers of graphene.
• - each carbon atom is connected to three other carbon atoms, by 3σ and 1π bonds.
• - Thus, the hybridization of each carbon atom in graphite is sp2.

Other statements are incorrect as-

• - Diamond cannot be used as a dry lubricant because of its extreme hardness.
• - Both diamond and graphite are covalent solid.
• - Diamond is a 3-D structure and graphite is 2-D.