Graphite And Carbon Graphite Uses Of Graphite example essay topic

Physical Properties of Graphite and Carbon Graphite Graphite is soft and black and the stable form of carbon. The usual form of graphite (hexagonal graphite) has hexagon sheets arranged in parallel layers. The carbon atoms are found at the corners of the regular and fused hexagons and has three neighbouring carbon atoms, so that the carbon forms a 2-dimensional hexagon net. The covalent bonding between the sheets are weak and are easily broken as shown above in the diagram thus graphite is a good lubricant as the sheets slide over each other. Diamond Diamond is hard and transparent and is the unusual form of carbon. The structure of diamond consists of a regular 3-dimensional array of carbon atoms in which each carbon is situated at the centre of a regular tetrahedron.

It is hard because of the strong covalent bonding, the tetrahedral bonds are fully covalent and do not like to be stretched. Moreover the covalent bonds have a 3-dimensional tetrahedral arrangement, and any distortion of the angle between the bond requires a great deal of energy. Uses of Graphite and Carbon Graphite Uses of graphite include dry lubricant, used in pencil leads (when mixed with clay), high temperature crucibles, arc light, dry cell and electrodes. Graphite can also be used as tools for glass working (as shown in the picture) this is because graphite is able to withstand high temperature exposures and is easy to form into custom shapes (malleable). This is because of its physical properties for example, graphite is malleable because the hexagonal sheets of carbon covalent bonds slide over each other, hence; able to be shaped. Diamond Diamonds are precious gemstones and are mainly used for ornamental use and for jewellery.

However diamond is also used in some industries for cutting very hard materials. These uses are because of its structure. Diamond has a very strong covalent lattice type structure giving it the strength needed to cut difficult objects, it is used for jewellery because it is transparent giving it its attractive look and is also shiny, the tetrahedral structure emphasises this effect. Range of compounds found in coal, petroleum and natural gas and deposits of each fossil fuel in Australia Coal The ultimate analysis of coal indicate the content of ash, carbon, hydrogen, sulphur, nitrogen and oxygen. The main centres of production in the Queensland state are in the Bowen, Ipswich, Maryborough regions. Within these vast areas are numerous mining sites such as Collinsville, Moura, Black Water, Peak Downs, Calli de Valley, Sari, Goonyela and Blair Athol.

In New South Wales the main production area is in the Sydney Basin with the Newcastle - Maitland coal belt located on the north boundary, the Wollongong - Bull i region in the south, the Lithgow - Lids dale mining area lying to the west and the Burragorang valley district located in land on the south boundary of the basin. In Western Australia sub bituminous coal is produced at the Collie coalfield (about 220 km south east of Perth). In South Australia coal is produced at the Leigh Creek open cut mine. Victoria is the only state which produces brown coal (lignite), the major deposits are in the Latrobe river valley, Yallourn, Mor well. Petroleum The marked expansion for petroleum requirements was due to the development of the Bass Strait oil deposits in Victoria. The Barrow is field in Western Australia (Carnavaron Basin) The remaining small fraction of the nations output is obtained from the Moon ie, Alton and Bennet fields in Queensland (Surat Basin).

Natural Gas The Victoria gas fields are located offshore in the Bass Strait; The South Australia gas fields; located at Moo mba and Gidgealpa in the Coopers Creek Basin. In Queensland the main gas fields are in the Roma Region. Safety issues associated with the storage of alkanes Hydrocarbons, particularly the low molecular weight ones, are extremely flammable. In addition, many hydrocarbons are toxic (poisonous) and some are (cancer causing).

So special care is required to handle them. Some examples include; Well maintained cylinders and fittings - methane and ethane are non-condensable gases at room temperature and are therefore stored and transported in high-pressure cylinders. Minimise quantities in everyday use - Only the minimum quantities for immediate needs should be stored in laboratories, homes or other enclosed places. Bulk quantities of such liquids should be stored out of the sun (to avoid overheating) but in places which are well ventilated.

Added odours for early detection of leaks - Because these gases are so flammable and form explosive mixtures with air, the commercial products, natural gas and LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), are dosed with a nasty-smelling substance so that leaks can be detected before explosive mixtures develop. Methane is transported in massive ocean tankers because methane occupies much smaller volumes in liquid than gaseous state. Pentane, Hexane, Heptane and Octane are volatile, flammable liquid hydrocarbons. They must be transported in sturdy metal or high density plastic containers which have a narrow neck to reduce evaporation and tight fitting lids. Alkanes must be stored in cool, well ventilated areas and kept away from naked flames and sparks which will ignite them.

The valves and cylinders must be checked and tested regularly. Conditions under which explosions occur and importance of reacting particles An explosion is a sudden expansion of matter into a much larger volume than it formerly occupied, or a sudden increase in the pressure exerted by confined matter. The rate at which a chemical reaction occurs depends on the number of effective molecular collisions. For a collision to be effective, the molecules must come together at the correct angle and with sufficient force. In certain cases, energy must be added to initiate the reaction. The smallest amount of energy that must be added to cause a reaction to take place is called the activation energy.

Once a reaction has started, other molecules are activated by the energy, that reaction will proceed more rapidly than a reaction with a higher activation energy. Safety in work environments Workplaces where large chemical reactions take place, and where there is imminent danger of an explosion occurring, safety procedures obviously need to be enforced to prevent injury to workers or worse. As we have established before; an explosion occurs when there is a sudden increase in pressure exerted by confined matter. Safety procedures which are enforceable on an employer, self employed person or user include; cleaning procedures in the case of a spillage of explosives all waste, paper, timber, rags, cotton and similar materials that have been in contact with explosives or an ingredient of an explosive are disposed of the explosives or partly mixed explosives are conveyed as soon and as carefully as possible and taking such precautions and in such a manner as will effectively guard against any accidental ignition or explosion except for drying purposes, preparation on burning grounds or testing, explosives are not exposed to direct rays if the sun or to rain, whether being transported or not all material, equipment, tools or similar articles used in a danger area are decontaminated after such use, and that no person makes use of any such article that has not been decontaminated after use in a contaminated area Safety garments of clothing, perhaps a body suit of some kind to protect workers from any dangers of spilling and to protect the skin Safety goggles and gloves are also enforceable CHRIS BROWN

Bibliography

H.S. C Chemistry - C. M Roebuck Matter Energy And Life - McChesney Core Chemistry - Dennis Garvin, John Reid, Anne Robertson Conquering Chemistry - Roland Smith web web web.