Question

Elemental carbon is a black, dull-looking solid that conducts heat and electricity well. It is very brittle and cannot be made into thin sheets or long wires. Of these properties, how does carbon behave as a metal? How does carbon behave as a nonmetal?

Short answer

Carbon behaves like a metal by conducting heat and electricity, but like a nonmetal by being brittle and not malleable.

Step-by-step solution

Identify Metallic Properties

First, examine the given properties of elemental carbon that might resemble metallic behavior. These include its ability to conduct heat and electricity. Metals are typically good conductors of both heat and electricity, which is a property shared with elemental carbon.

Identify Nonmetallic Properties

Next, look at the properties that are typical of nonmetals. Elemental carbon is black and dull-looking, which is unlike the luster seen in metals. Furthermore, it is brittle and cannot be shaped into thin sheets or drawn into wires, indicating nonmetallic properties, as metals are typically malleable and ductile.

Compare and Contrast

Carbon, although it conducts heat and electricity like a metal, lacks other key metallic properties such as malleability and ductility. Instead, it is brittle, demonstrating characteristics common to nonmetals. This analysis helps us classify which properties align with metals versus nonmetals.

Key concepts

Metallic Properties

Metallic properties refer to the characteristics commonly found in metals. These include the ability to conduct heat and electricity, which is crucial for creating circuits and heat-conducting materials. Another key property of metals is usually their shiny, lustrous appearance.
Elemental carbon shares one important metallic property: it is a good conductor of heat and electricity.
This might seem surprising since most metals, like copper and aluminum, are known for their lustrous appearance and flexibility, unlike carbon, which is described as black and dull.
However, its ability to conduct makes it somewhat similar to metals in this aspect.

Nonmetallic Properties

Nonmetallic properties describe characteristics that are typical of nonmetals. Nonmetals often lack the shiny appearance seen in metals, instead appearing dull or earthy. Moreover, nonmetals are usually brittle, meaning they can easily break or shatter.
Elemental carbon is black and dull, aligning with the nonmetallic trait of having little to no luster. Additionally, its brittleness means it cannot be hammered into thin sheets or drawn into long wires, which is another point distinguishing it from metals.
Overall, these properties set carbon apart, making it clear why it is often classified as a nonmetal.

Elemental Carbon

Elemental carbon is an intriguing substance due to its wide array of roles and forms. Carbon atoms can bond with each other in various ways, forming different structures such as graphite, diamond, and fullerenes. Each form exhibits unique properties.
In its common form, graphite, carbon exhibits both metallic and nonmetallic properties, making it complex to categorize.

• Graphite conducts electricity – linking it to metals.
• Graphite is also soft and slippery, unlike many metals, but is very brittle, which is aligned with nonmetals.

These different forms demonstrate how versatile and unique elemental carbon is.

Conductivity

Conductivity refers to the ability of a material to allow the passage of heat or electricity through it. This property is fundamental in determining how a material can be used in various applications.
Elemental carbon, in the form of graphite, is an excellent conductor of electricity, much like traditional metals such as copper or gold.
However, its heat conduction varies depending on temperature and the particular form of carbon, reinforcing its dualistic nature.
This quality is what allows carbon to be used in products like batteries and pencils, taking advantage of its ability to conduct.

Brittleness

Brittleness is a measure of a material's tendency to break without significant deformation when subjected to stress. This contrasts with ductility, where materials can be stretched into a wire, or malleability, where they can be hammered into thin sheets.
Elemental carbon, particularly in the form of graphite, is known for its brittleness. It will crack or shatter with minimal force applied, displaying a clear nonmetallic property.
This characteristic stands in stark contrast to metals, making handling and application of carbon unique when considering its remarkable other uses and properties.