* Insulator:
* Diamond: Diamond is a form of pure carbon with a rigid, tightly bonded structure. Electrons are tightly bound to the atoms and cannot move freely, making diamond an excellent insulator.
* Conductor:
* Graphite: Graphite is another form of carbon with a layered structure. Within each layer, electrons are delocalized and can move freely, making graphite a good conductor of electricity.
* Carbon nanotubes: These are cylindrical structures of carbon atoms. Their unique structure allows for very efficient electron transport, making them excellent conductors.
In summary:
* Pure carbon: The conductivity of carbon depends heavily on its structural arrangement.
* Diamond: Insulator
* Graphite: Conductor
* Carbon nanotubes: Excellent conductor
This demonstrates that the same element can exhibit different properties based on its structure and bonding.