Expalin the difference in the properties of diamond and graphite based upon their structure.

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Diamond Graphite
Diamond is the hardest substance on earth. Graphite is soft and slippery
In diamond carbon is sp3  hybridised In graphite carbon is sp2 -hybridized
Since all the electrons in diamond are firmly In c-c, 6 bonds there are no free electrons in diamond crystal. Therefore diamond is bad conductor of electricity. Since only three electrons of each carbon are used in making hexagonal rings of graphite, fourth valence electron is free to move thus graphite is a good conductor of electricity
Because of high refractive index diamond can reflect and refract the light. Graphite is a black substance and posses a metallic luster.

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