GRAPHITE

Graphite

The mineral graphite is an allotrope of carbon. It was named by Abraham Gottlob Werner in 1789 from the Ancient Greek γράφω, "to draw/write", for its use in pencils, where it is commonly called lead . Unlike diamond, graphite is an electrical conductor, a semimetal. It is, consequently, useful in such applications as arc lamp electrodes. Graphite is the most stable form of carbon under standard conditions. Therefore, it is used in thermochemistry as the standard state for defining the heat of formation of carbon compounds. Graphite may be considered the highest grade of coal, just above anthracite and alternatively called ...

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graphite

Noun

  1. An allotrope of carbon consisting of planes of carbon atoms arranged in hexagonal arrays with the planes stacked loosely that is used as a dry lubricant and in "lead" pencils.
  2. Short for graphite-reinforced plastic, a composite plastic made with graphite fibers noted for light weight strength and stiffness.
    Modern tennis racquets are made of graphite, fibreglass and other man-made materials.
  3. A grey colour.


The above text is a snippet from Wiktionary: graphite
and as such is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

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