Carbon allotropes
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Use your mouse (or finger on touch devices) to move or scale molecules. Double tap to stop and start each animation.
graphene
graphite
Graphene and graphite
Graphene consists of a single sheet of carbon atoms, one atom thick. The atoms are arranged in hexagons. It is a type of fullerene (see below).
Graphite consists of layers of graphene, attracted to each other by weak forces.
carbon nanotube
buckyball (this one is C60)
Fullerenes
Closed ball-shaped fullerenes are often called “buckyballs”. Buckminsterfullerene, C60, was the first buckyball to be discovered. Its carbon atoms are arranged in hexagons and pentagons. Carbon nanotubes can have open ends (like the one here) or closed ends.
diamond
Diamond
Each atom in diamond is joined to four other atoms, forming a giant covalent structure.
An American architect, Richard Buckminster Fuller (1895 – 1983), was famous for his geodesic domes. Buckminsterfullerene was named after its resemblance to these domes.
The Eden Project is a visitor attraction in Cornwall, England. Its geodesic domes house plants collected from various hot climates.
Copyright © 2000-2024 Nigel Saunders
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