Graphite is an allotrope of carbon, where the atoms are arranged in a hexagonal lattice structure.
Bonding in Graphite:
In graphite, the carbon atoms are held together by:
Covalent bonds: Within the layers, the carbon atoms are bonded through strong covalent bonds, which are formed by the sharing of electrons.
Van der Waals bonds: Between the layers, the carbon atoms are held together by weak van der Waals bonds, which are responsible for the easy sliding of the layers.
Covalent Bonding:
The covalent bonds in graphite are formed by the overlap of the sp² hybrid orbitals of the carbon atoms, resulting in a strong and stable bond.
