graphite

Everyday

1. Graphite is a soft, dark grey form of carbon that leaves marks on paper. tree →
2. Graphite is the «lead» in pencils, mixed with clay. tree →
3. Graphite is also used in batteries, as a lubricant and in sports gear like tennis rackets. tree →

In the lessons

In science, graphite and diamond are both pure carbon but with atoms arranged differently: graphite is soft and slippery, diamond is very hard. Graphite conducts electricity, unusual for a non-metal. Thin layers of graphite are called graphene.

Examples

• The «lead» in your pencil is really graphite. tree →
• Graphite and diamond are both made of carbon. tree →
• Graphite feels slippery because its layers slide. tree →
• A circuit with a graphite line can light a small bulb. tree →
• His tennis racket is made with graphite. tree →
• Use a soft graphite pencil for shading. tree →

Note

Uncountable. Pencils never contained the poisonous metal lead; that is a myth from old times when people thought graphite was lead. «HB», «2B» tell how soft the graphite is.