Mention the respective properties of the following allotropes of carbon that account for their uses as indicated:
(a) diamond used for drilling rocks;
(b) diamond used as jewels;
(c) graphite used as electrodes;
(d) graphite used for slowing down neutrons in nuclear reactors;
(e) wood charcoal used in gas masks.
Explanation
(a) The hardness of diamond.
(b) The characteristic lustre of diamond
(c) The electrical conductivity of graphite
(d) Soft nature of graphite
(e) The porous nature of wood charcoal makes it good absorbent for gases.