Chemistry
Distinguishing Graphene, Graphite, and Diamond at the Atomic Level
Quick fact
A single sheet of graphene is stronger than steel diamond-like strength, yet it is also flexible and conducts electricity—all because each carbon atom bonds to just three neighbours in a flat honeycomb.
Why this is interesting
You can write with graphite, cut with diamond, and flex with graphene—but all three are made of the same atoms: carbon. How can one element produce such wildly different materials?