Question
Which of these carbon structures is almost always man-made? Answer Options: Select one of four Futlerene Amorphous structure Diamond Graphite
Answer
4.2
(348 Votes)
Thomas
Elite · Tutor for 8 years
Answer
Fullerene
Explanation
This question is asking us to identify which carbon structure among the options provided is typically not found naturally and is almost always created through human intervention. Let's consider each option:1. **Fullerene** - Fullerenes are molecules composed entirely of carbon, in the form of a hollow sphere, ellipsoid, or tube. These structures were discovered in the mid-1980s and are known for their unique properties, including their formation in a laboratory setting. Fullerenes do not naturally occur in significant quantities on Earth and are predominantly produced through synthetic methods.2. **Amorphous Structure** - Amorphous carbon structures lack a crystalline form and are found in various natural substances like coal, soot, and char. While these can be enhanced or produced through human activities, their existence is not solely dependent on human fabrication.3. **Diamond** - Diamonds can be found naturally in the Earth's crust, formed under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions. However, synthetic diamonds can also be produced industrially. The presence of natural diamonds indicates that this option is not exclusively man-made.4. **Graphite** - Graphite is another naturally occurring form of carbon, found in metamorphic and igneous rocks. It is used in many applications, from pencils to nuclear reactors, but it is not exclusively man-made.Given the above considerations, the carbon structure that is almost always man-made is **Fullerene**. While there are instances of fullerenes being discovered in nature, such as in shungite or in space, these occurrences are rare, and the vast majority of fullerenes used today are synthesized in laboratories.