Graphite is soft solid lubricant extreamly to melt. The reason for this anomalous behaviour is that graphite:

Options

A. is a non-crystalline substance
B. has molecules of variable molecular mass like polymers
C. has carbon atoms arranged in large plates of rings of strongly bound carbon atoms with weak interplate bonds
D. is an allotrope of diamond

Answer

C

Explanation

Graphite consists of layers of `C` atoms held together by means of the weak van der Waals forces. As a result, it is soft and used as a lubricant. Within each layer, `C` atoms are held together by means of strong covalent bonds having `p_(pi)-p_(pi)` interactions. Thus, it is difficult to melt.