A student says diamond must contain stronger bonds than graphite because graphite is softer. Why is this reasoning wrong?

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Question

A student says diamond must contain stronger bonds than graphite because graphite is softer. Why is this reasoning wrong?

Accepted Answer

Graphite's softness comes from weak forces between its layers, not from weak covalent bonds — Award 1 mark. Within a layer the carbon–carbon bonds are if anything slightly stronger than in diamond; hardness here is governed by how the layers are held together, not by bond strength.

Answer

The bonds in diamond are ionic rather than covalent

Answer

Graphite's covalent bonds really are much weaker than those in diamond

Answer

Graphite contains no covalent bonds at all

Answer

Graphite's softness comes from weak forces between its layers, not from weak covalent bonds

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