What are the different forms of elemental carbon?

Carbon can be found in different forms, with different structures and bonding.

Graphite is a structure in which each carbon atom is bonded to three other carbon atoms, to form a sheet of hexagons. There is one electron which isn't used in bonding so it is delocalised over the structure. It can move around freely, which means graphite conducts electricity!

Diamond is a giant covalent structure in which carbon makes four bonds to other carbon atoms. It has a lot of very strong covalent bonds so it is hard.

Fullerenes are structures shaped a bit like a football, with hexagonal rings of carbon atoms. They can be used to deliver drugs into the body!