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What is it and where is it formed? Graphite is one of the
two kinds of carbon. The other one is
diamond which is a lot harder than
graphite. The difference between the two is how the atoms are arranged.
Diamonds that are close to the surface of the Earth are slowly changing into
graphite. Graphite is caused by the changes in
igneous and
metamorphic rocks.
It is formed when plants, rocks, and organic things in limestone areas change
over time. -
How and where is it mined? Graphite is mined using underground mining and surface quarrying. The way it is mined depends on how deep into the Earth the graphite is. It is mined in: China, Brazil, Canada, Malagasy, Norway, Ukraine and Zimbabwe.
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What is it used for? Graphite is used for the lead in pencils, to make steel stronger, and as a lubricant. Clay + water + graphite = the lead in pencils.
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Interesting Information:
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Graphite can be made from coke, which is what is left over after bituminous coal has had its purer parts taken out to be used as fuel. This is man-made graphite and it ends up costing more to make. People want it because it is purer, heavier, and stronger than natural graphite.
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| Mineral Characteristic |
What the mineralogists say |
Kid's Guide: What it REALLY means! |
| Chemical Symbol | C | It only has carbon in it. |
| Color | Black or gray |
These are graphite’s usual colors. |
| Streak | Black gray to brownish gray |
If you crushed graphite, it would become a black-gray or brownish-gray dust. It is one way that scientists identify it. |
| Transparency | Opaque | You can’t see through it. |
| Luster | Metallic to dull | If you shine a light on it, it would have a dull shine like dirty metal. |
| Cleavage | Perfect in 1 direction | If you broke graphite, it would break smoothly into sheets. |
| Fracture | Flaky | If it is broken into smaller pieces, it will be flaky or sheet-like. |
| Magnetism |
None |
It will not attract, or be attracted to, a magnet |
| Hardness |
1 - 2 |
It is a soft metal. |
| Specific gravity |
2.2 |
If you held a piece of it, it would seem light for its size. |
| Crystal Shape |
Hexagonal |
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