At room temperature, carbon can exist in several different forms, but the most common states are solid. The two most notable solid forms of carbon are graphite and diamond. Graphite is a soft, slippery material that is often used as a lubricant and in pencils, while diamond is renowned for its hardness and brilliance, commonly used in jewelry and cutting tools.
The different allotropes of carbon each have distinct properties due to variations in their atomic structure. Graphite’s structure allows layers of carbon atoms to slide over one another easily, making it soft and lubricating. In contrast, diamond’s rigid three-dimensional structure gives it exceptional hardness.
Additionally, carbon can exist in gaseous and liquid states, although these are less common at room temperature. Carbon dioxide, for example, is the gaseous form of carbon and is present in the atmosphere, whereas carbon does not have a stable liquid state at room temperature under normal pressure.