Question

The molecule buckminsterfullerene, commonly called a "buckyball," is one of three common allotropes of a familiar element. Identify two other allotropes of this element.

Short answer

Graphite and diamond.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the element

Buckminsterfullerene or "buckyball" is a form of carbon. It is a specific molecule made entirely of carbon atoms.

Recall common carbon allotropes

Carbon's three common allotropes are graphite, diamond, and buckminsterfullerene (fullerenes). Since the exercise already mentions buckminsterfullerene, we need to identify the other two.

State the identified allotropes

The two other common allotropes of carbon, aside from buckminsterfullerene, are graphite and diamond.

Key concepts

Graphite

Graphite is one of the most well-known allotropes of carbon, noted for its distinctive layered structure. It comprises sheets of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal pattern. These layers are held together by weak van der Waals forces, allowing them to slide over one another easily.
This property makes graphite soft and slippery, which is why it is commonly used as a lubricant and in pencils. Graphite is also an excellent conductor of electricity. This arises because one of the four outer electrons of each carbon atom is free to move, unlike in other non-metallic compounds where all electrons are usually involved in bonding.

• Structure: Layers of hexagonally arranged carbon atoms.
• Properties: Soft, slippery, and conducts electricity.
• Uses: Lubricants, pencil leads, and electrodes.

Diamond

Diamond, another form of carbon, is renowned for its exceptional hardness and clarity. In diamond, each carbon atom is tetrahedrally bonded to four other carbon atoms, creating a very strong three-dimensional network.
This arrangement accounts for diamond’s remarkable hardness, making it an ideal material for cutting tools and jewelry. Furthermore, the absence of free electrons means diamonds do not conduct electricity, but they are excellent thermal conductors. The unique refraction of light through diamonds gives them their characteristic brilliance.

• Structure: Three-dimensional network of carbon atoms.
• Properties: Extremely hard, superb light dispersion, does not conduct electricity.
• Uses: Jewelry, industrial cutting and grinding tools.

Buckminsterfullerene

Buckminsterfullerene, or simply a "buckyball," is a fascinating allotrope of carbon. It consists of 60 carbon atoms shaped like a soccer ball. The atoms are connected through single and double bonds, forming pentagons and hexagons.
Fullerenes are named after the architect Richard Buckminster Fuller because they resemble his geodesic domes. These molecules have unique properties like high resilience and the ability to trap other atoms inside. As such, they hold promise for various advanced applications, including drug delivery, superconductors, and materials science.

• Structure: Spherical arrangement of 60 carbon atoms.
• Properties: Resilient, can trap other atoms.
• Uses: Potential in drug delivery, new materials, superconductors.