The bonding in graphite is best described as

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The question asks how bonding in graphite is best described, focusing on the nature of bonding both within the layers and between the layers.
Option a: covalent within the layers and ionic between the layers. This is incorrect because the interlayer interaction in graphite is not ionic; there are no full charged ions forming bonds between layers. The layers are held together much more weakly by van der Waals forces rather than ionic bonds.
Option b: ionic within the layers and covalent between the layers. This reverses the actual situation. Within graphite's layers, carbon atoms form strong covalent bonds, but between layers the bonding is not covalent; it is far weaker van der Waals (dispersion) interactions, not covalent bonds.
Option c: covalent within the layers and dispersion forces between the layers. This accurately captures the structure: each layer consists of strong covalently bonded carbon atoms arranged in hexagonal sheets, while the layers themselves are held together by weak dispersion (van der Waals) forces, accounting for graphite’s layered nature and lubricating properties.
Option d: ionic within the layers and dispersion forces between the layers. The in-layer bonds are not ionic; they are covalent due to sharing of electrons among carbon atoms. Dispersion forces exist between layers, but the in-layer bonding description here is wrong, making this option incorrect overall.
In summary, only option c correctly combines strong covalent bonding inside the graphene-like layers with weak van der Waals (dispersion) forces between the layers, matching the known structure of graphite.

MUF0041 Chemistry Unit 1 - Semester 1, 2025 Area of Study 3 Test 1(Gases/Solids/Liquids)

The bonding in graphite is best described as

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