Chemistry Forums for Students => High School Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: abccbaabc014 on January 27, 2009, 05:21:58 PM
Title: Melting Graphite and Carbon
Post by: abccbaabc014 on January 27, 2009, 05:21:58 PM
I'll do my best to put this convoluted question into words: Carbon can form lots of different structures, such as graphite and carbon. When these are melted, the bonds between the carbon atoms break. Because these bonds are so strong, the melting points of both graphite and diamond are very high. But what I want to know is that if you were to melt both graphite and diamond, would you end up with the same 'molten carbon'. Also, if you were to allow it to freeze, would it resume the form it held before you melted it, or some different one? Thanks.
Title: Re: Melting Graphite and Carbon
Post by: ARGOS++ on January 27, 2009, 05:31:40 PM
Dear abccbaabc014;
Are you able to read your answer from the Phase-diagram of Carbon?:
I hope to have been of help to you. Good Luck! ARGOS++
Title: Re: Melting Graphite and Carbon
Post by: abccbaabc014 on January 27, 2009, 05:45:26 PM
I'm not sure. What I think it's saying is that carbon 'prefers' to be bonded in a graphite structure, therefore freezing molten carbon will create a graphite structure. This also confirms that there is no difference between the molten products of graphite and diamond. I just thought it would be worth checking this here, I didn't really understand most of the stuff on that page.
Title: Re: Melting Graphite and Carbon
Post by: ARGOS++ on January 27, 2009, 06:12:45 PM