Graphite | Properties, Uses, & Structure

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</div> </div> </div> <main> <div class="md-page-wrapper"> <div id="content" class="md-content"> <div class="md-article-container template-desktop"> <div class="infinite-scroll-container article last"> <article class="article-content container-lg qa-content px-0 pt-0 pb-40 py-lg-20 content " data-topic-id="242042"> <div class="grid gx-0"> <div class="col-auto"> <div class="topic-left-rail md-article-drawer position-relative d-flex border-right-sm border-left-sm open"> <div class="drawer d-flex flex-column open"> <div class="left-rail-section-content"> <div class="topic-left-rail-header text-truncate bg-gray-50 position-relative text-right d-flex align-items-center"> <div class="tlr-title px-20 py-15 text-left"> <em class="material-icons text-gray-400 d-lg-none" data-icon="toc"></em> <a class="font-serif font-weight-bold text-black link-blue" href="https://www.britannica.com/science/graphite-carbon">graphite</a> </div> <button aria-label="Close" class="js-sections-close-button btn-link btn-sm btn d-lg-none position-absolute top-0 p-10 right-0" > <em class="material-icons font-26" data-icon="close"></em> </button> </div> <div class="section-content pl-10 pr-20 pl-sm-50 pr-sm-60 pl-lg-5 pr-lg-10 pt-10 pt-lg-0 bg-gray-50 clear-catfish-ad"> <div class="toc mb-20"> <div class="font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-15 mb-15 mt-20"> Table of Contents </div> <span class="toc-extra-link selected link-gray-900 mt-15"> Introduction </span> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="https://www.britannica.com/science/graphite-carbon/additional-info">References & Edit History</a> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="/facts/graphite-carbon">Quick Facts & Related Topics</a> </div> <div class="tlr-media-slider pb-10 mb-30"> <a class="section-header link-gray-900 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mb-10 mx-10" href="https://www.britannica.com/science/graphite-carbon/images-videos">Images</a> <div class="slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100 "> <div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex overflow-hidden text-nowrap ml-15"> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/48/123748-004-CF7C0356/Graphite.jpg" data-href="/media/1/242042/117337" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/48/123748-004-CF7C0356/Graphite.jpg" alt="graphite" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/24/225924-050-55D6A4CF/Graphite-for-pencils.jpg" data-href="/media/1/242042/300285" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/24/225924-004-54813C35/Graphite-for-pencils.jpg" alt="pencil with graphite" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/64/138764-050-390D5142/lead.jpg" data-href="/media/1/242042/141660" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/64/138764-004-28AFB785/lead.jpg" alt="black lead (graphite)" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/06/124206-004-5CBB2635/Graphite-crucibles.jpg" data-href="/media/1/242042/117939" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/06/124206-004-5CBB2635/Graphite-crucibles.jpg" alt="crucible" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/63/7363-004-F199F8F5/Comparison-graphite-structures-BN-boron-nitride.jpg" data-href="/media/1/242042/9370" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/63/7363-004-F199F8F5/Comparison-graphite-structures-BN-boron-nitride.jpg" alt="Comparison of the hexagonal structures of graphite (left)and boron nitride (right)." height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/27/2627-050-2A9ACACC/Structures-elements-model-areas-spheres-packing-structure.jpg" data-href="/media/1/242042/2416" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/27/2627-004-3598848A/Structures-elements-model-areas-spheres-packing-structure.jpg" alt="Figure 9: Structures of some native elements. (A) Close-packed model of simple cubic packing of equal spheres, as shown by iron. Each sphere is surrounded by eight closest neighbours. (B) Close-packed model of the structure of arsenic and antimony. Flat areas represent overlap between adjoining atoms. (C) Partial representation of the structure of diamond. (D) The structure of graphite with sheets perpendicular to the c axis." height="50" /> </a> </div> <button disabled class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-blue " aria-label="Previous"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span> </button> <button disabled class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-blue " aria-label="Next"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span> </button> </div> </div> <div class="mb-30 tlr-related-questions"> <div class="text-gray-900 p-5 pb-0 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-10 mb-15"> Related Questions </div> <ul> <li class="link-gray-900 mb-15"><a class="" href="/question/How-is-the-atomic-number-of-an-atom-defined">How is the atomic number of an atom defined?</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="mb-30 tlr-discover"> <div class="text-gray-900 p-5 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-10 mb-10"> Discover </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/story/why-is-christmas-in-december"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/24/190024-131-988B5D32/Nativity-Scene-Adoration-of-the-Magi-Church.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Nativity Scene, Adoration of the Magi, Church of the Birth of the Virgin Mary, Montenegro" width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/story/why-is-christmas-in-december" >Why Is Christmas in December?</a> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/list/7-wonders-of-america"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/73/150373-131-DB2CFBDD/Teton-Range-Jackson-Lake-Wyoming-Grand-National.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Jackson (Wyoming, United States). 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Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. </div> <div class="label mt-20 mb-10">Select Citation Style</div> <select class="js-citation-format-select form-select"> <option selected value="mla">MLA</option> <option value="apa">APA</option> <option value="chicago">Chicago Manual of Style</option> </select> <div class="citation font-serif border rounded p-15 mt-20" data-authors="The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica" data-title="graphite" data-published-date="5 Jul. 2024" data-url="https://www.britannica.com/science/graphite-carbon" > <div class="citation-text"></div> </div> <button class="js-copy-citation-button mt-20 btn btn-xs btn-outline-blue border shadow-sm pr-10" > <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 my-n5 mr-5" data-icon="file_copy"></em> <span class="js-citation-status-text">Copy Citation</span> </button> </div> </div> </div> <div> <button class="js-share-modal-button js-modal btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool font-weight-bold btn-link" data-modal="[data-topic-id=242042] .md-share-modal"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="share"></em> Share </button> <div class="md-share-modal size-lg d-none qa-share-modal"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif d-flex align-items-center pb-15 border-bottom"> <em class="material-icons text-blue mr-10" data-icon="share"></em> Share </div> <div class="label my-20">Share to social media</div> <div class="md-social-toolbar-circle d-flex align-items-start inverted" data-value="share" title="graphite" data-url="https://www.britannica.com/science/graphite-carbon" > <a class="social-icon facebook justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/BRITANNICA/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>Facebook</span></a> <a class="social-icon x justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="x" href="https://x.com/britannica" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>X</span></a> </div> <div class="label pt-20 mt-20 mb-5 border-top">URL</div> <a class="font-serif text-truncate d-inline-block" href="https://www.britannica.com/science/graphite-carbon">https://www.britannica.com/science/graphite-carbon</a> </div> </div> </div> <div> <button class="js-feedback-modal-button js-modal btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool font-weight-bold btn-link" data-modal=".md-feedback-modal"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="message"></em> Feedback </button> </div> <div> <button class="qa-external-website-modal-button js-modal btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool font-weight-bold btn-link" data-modal="[data-topic-id=242042] .md-websites-modal"> <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 mr-5" data-icon="link"></em> External Websites </button> </div> </div> <div class="md-feedback-modal size-lg d-none"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif pb-15 border-bottom"> Feedback </div> <form method="post" action="/submission/feedback/242042"> <div class="my-20"> Corrections? 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They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor text-decoration-underline"> The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</span></div> <div class="last-updated font-12 font-serif"> <a class="byline-edit-history" href="https://www.britannica.com/science/graphite-carbon/additional-info#history" rel="nofollow">Article History</a> </div></div> </div> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button d-none d-sm-block js-sections-inline-button module-spacing btn d-lg-none"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <div class="d-flex d-sm-none flex-row"> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button js-sections-inline-button module-spacing"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 ai-ask-button btn border-2 module-spacing btn-sm js-inline-ai-ask-button btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 p-10 ml-5"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> </div> <div class="js-qf-module qf-module px-40 px-sm-20 py-15 mx-auto module-spacing font-14 bg-gray-50 rounded"> <div class="facts-list mt-10"> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Also called: </dt> <dd>plumbago or black lead</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Key People: </dt> <dd><a href="/biography/Edward-Goodrich-Acheson" topicid="3532">Edward Goodrich Acheson</a></dd> <dd><a href="/biography/Joseph-Dixon" topicid="166838">Joseph Dixon</a></dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Related Topics: </dt> <dd><a href="/science/carbon-chemical-element" topicid="94732">carbon</a></dd> <dd><a href="/science/graphene" topicid="1236225">graphene</a></dd> <dd><a href="/science/native-element" topicid="405982">native element</a></dd> <dd><a href="/science/allotrope" topicid="664629">allotrope</a></dd> <dd><a href="/science/cliftonite" topicid="121547">cliftonite</a></dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> <div class="text-center"> <a class="btn btn-sm btn-link p-0" href="/facts/graphite-carbon"> See all related content </a> </div> </div> </div> </div><span class="marker before-article"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref1"><span class="marker PREMOD1 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph"><strong><span id="ref213824"></span>graphite</strong>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/mineral-chemical-compound" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">mineral</a> consisting of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/carbon-chemical-element" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">carbon</a>. Graphite has a greasy feel and leaves a black mark, thus the name from the Greek verb <em>graphein</em>, “to write.”</p><span class="marker MOD1 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD2 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Graphite has a layered structure that consists of rings of six carbon atoms arranged in widely spaced horizontal sheets. Graphite thus crystallizes in the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/hexagonal-system" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">hexagonal system</a>, in contrast to <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/diamond-gemstone" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">diamond</a>, another form of carbon, that crystallizes in the octahedral or tetrahedral system. Such pairs of differing forms of the same element usually are rather similar in their physical properties, but not so in this case. Graphite is dark gray to black, <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="opaque" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opaque" data-type="MW">opaque</a>, and very soft (with a <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/Mohs-hardness" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Mohs scale</a> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/hardness-physics" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">hardness</a> of 1.5), while diamond may be colorless and transparent and is the hardest naturally occurring substance (with a Mohs scale hardness of 10). Graphite is very soft because the individual layers of carbon atoms are not as tightly bound together as the atoms within the layer. It is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity. For detailed physical properties of graphite, <em>see</em> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/native-element" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">native element</a> (table).</p><span class="marker MOD2 mod-inline"></span><div class="feature-block pullquote"><p class="topic-paragraph">Before the discovery in 1779 that graphite when burned in air forms <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/carbon-dioxide" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">carbon dioxide</a>, graphite was confused with both the metal lead and a superficially similar substance, the mineral <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/molybdenite" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">molybdenite</a>.</p></div><span class="marker PREMOD4 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Graphite is formed by the <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="metamorphosis" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metamorphosis" data-type="MW">metamorphosis</a> of sediments containing carbonaceous material, by the reaction of carbon <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="compounds" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compounds" data-type="MW">compounds</a> with hydrothermal solutions or magmatic fluids, or possibly by the crystallization of magmatic carbon. It occurs as isolated scales, large masses, or veins in older crystalline rocks, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/gneiss" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">gneiss</a>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/schist" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">schist</a>, quartzite, and marble and also in granites, pegmatites, and carbonaceous clay slates. Small isometric crystals of graphitic carbon (possibly pseudomorphs after diamond) found in meteoritic <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/iron-chemical-element" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">iron</a> are called <span id="ref213825"></span>cliftonite.</p><a class="link-module shadow-sm d-block qa-read-more-module" href="/science/carbon-chemical-element#ref111998" data-link-module-iframe-link=""> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/94/22394-050-619F56C9/element-symbol-square-C-Its-properties-some.jpg" alt="carbon" class="rounded-sm mr-15" width="70" /> <div class="line-clamp clamp-5"> <div class="module-title bg-navy-dark">More From Britannica</div> <div class="font-weight-semi-bold mt-5">carbon: Properties and uses</div> </div> </a><span class="marker MOD4 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD5 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Naturally occurring graphite is classified into three types: <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="amorphous" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amorphous" data-type="MW">amorphous</a>, flake, and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/vein-ore-deposit" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">vein</a>. Amorphous is the most common kind and is formed by <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/metamorphism" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">metamorphism</a> under low pressures and temperatures. It is found in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/coal-fossil-fuel" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">coal</a> and shale and has the lowest carbon content, typically 70 to 90 percent, of the three types. Flake graphite appears in flat layers and is formed by metamorphism under high pressures and temperatures. It is the most commonly used type and has a carbon content between 85 and 98 percent. Vein graphite is the rarest form and is likely formed when carbon compounds react with hydrothermal solutions or magmatic fluids. Vein graphite can have a purity greater than 99 percent and is commercially mined only in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Sri-Lanka" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Sri Lanka</a>.</p><span class="marker MOD5 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD6 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Graphite was first synthesized accidentally by <span id="ref213826"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Edward-Goodrich-Acheson" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Edward G. Acheson</a> while he was performing high-temperature experiments on carborundum. He found that at about 4,150 °C (7,500 °F) the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/silicon" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">silicon</a> in the carborundum vaporized, leaving the carbon behind in graphitic form. Acheson was granted a patent for graphite manufacture in 1896, and commercial production started in 1897. Since 1918 petroleum <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/coke" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">coke</a>, small and imperfect graphite crystals surrounded by organic compounds, has been the major raw material in the production of 99 to 99.5 percent pure graphite.</p><div class="one-good-fact-module"> </div><span class="marker MOD6 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD7 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="300285" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/24/225924-050-55D6A4CF/Graphite-for-pencils.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/242042/300285"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/24/225924-050-55D6A4CF/Graphite-for-pencils.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/24/225924-050-55D6A4CF/Graphite-for-pencils.jpg?w=300" alt="pencil with graphite" data-width="1600" data-height="1067" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/24/225924-050-55D6A4CF/Graphite-for-pencils.jpg" data-href="/media/1/242042/300285">pencil with graphite</a><span>A pencil with graphite, the form of carbon that makes up the central core of a pencil.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">Graphite is used in pencils, lubricants, <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="crucibles" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crucibles" data-type="MW">crucibles</a>, foundry facings, polishes, brushes for electric motors, and cores of nuclear reactors. Its high <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/thermal" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">thermal</a> and electrical conductivity make it a key part of steelmaking, where it is used as electrodes in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/electric-arc" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">electric arc</a> furnaces. In the early 21st century, global demand for graphite has increased because of its use as the anode in lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles. About 75 percent of graphite is mined in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/China" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">China</a>, with significant amounts mined in Madagascar, Mozambique, and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Brazil" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Brazil</a>.</p><div class="module-spacing"> <DIV class="marketing-INLINE_SUBSCRIPTION marketing-content" data-marketing-id="INLINE_SUBSCRIPTION"><style> .student-promo-banner-wrapper { container-type: inline-size; margin-bottom: 15px; } @container (min-width: 475px) { .student-promo-banner { flex-direction: row; } .student-promo-banner-img-wrapper { margin-bottom: 0; margin-right: 10px; justify-content: flex-start; } .student-promo-banner-text-wrapper { text-align: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 10px; } .student-promo-banner-button-wrapper { margin-right: 0; } }</style> <div class="student-promo-banner-wrapper"> <div class="student-promo-banner d-flex flex-column align-items-center bg-blue rounded p-20"> <div class="student-promo-banner-img-wrapper mb-20 mr-0 d-flex justify-content-center"> <img class="rounded" style="max-width: 100px; min-width: 80px" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/BlueThistle.webp" /> </div> <div class="student-promo-banner-text-wrapper ml-0 mb-10 text-center text-white"> <div class="h2 mb-10">Get Unlimited Access</div> <div class="h4 font-weight-semi-bold">Try Britannica Premium for free and discover more.</div> </div> <div class="student-promo-banner-button-wrapper d-flex justify-content-center align-items-center ml-auto mr-auto"> <a class="btn btn-m btn-orange" href="https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=black-friday-2024">Subscribe</a> </div> </div> </div> </DIV></div><span class="marker MOD7 mod-inline"></span></section> <span class="md-signature"><a href="/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419">The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</a></span> <span class="md-signature">This article was most recently revised and updated by <a href="/editor/Erik-Gregersen/6723">Erik Gregersen</a>.</span><span class="marker end-of-content"></span><span class="marker after-article"></span></div> <div id="chatbot-root"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ai-dialog-placeholder"></div> </div> </div> <aside class="col-md-da-320"></aside> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article></div> </div></div> </div> </main> <div id="md-footer"></div> <noscript><iframe src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5W6NC8" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <script type="text/javascript" id="_informizely_script_tag"> var IzWidget = IzWidget || {}; (function (d) { var scriptElement = d.createElement('script'); scriptElement.type = 'text/javascript'; scriptElement.async = true; scriptElement.src = "https://insitez.blob.core.windows.net/site/f780f33e-a610-4ac2-af81-3eb184037547.js"; var node = d.getElementById('_informizely_script_tag'); node.parentNode.insertBefore(scriptElement, node); } )(document); </script>  <script> window.ap3c = window.ap3c || {}; var ap3c = window.ap3c; ap3c.cmd = ap3c.cmd || []; ap3c.cmd.push(function() { ap3c.init('ZO4siT4cLwnykPnzZWJtd3Byb2Q', 'https://engage.email.britannica.com/'); ap3c.track({v: 0}); }); ap3c.activity = function(act) { ap3c.act = (ap3c.act || []); ap3c.act.push(act); }; var s, t; s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.src = "https://engage.email.britannica.com/app.js"; t = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; t.parentNode.insertBefore(s, t); </script> <script class="marketing-page-info" type="application/json"> {"pageType":"Topic","templateName":"DESKTOP","pageNumber":1,"pagesTotal":1,"pageId":242042,"pageLength":564,"initialLoad":true,"lastPageOfScroll":false} </script> <script class="marketing-content-info" type="application/json"> [] </script> <script src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/js/libs/jquery-3.5.0.min.js?v=3.130.14"></script> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="Init Mendel Code Splitting"> (function() { $.ajax({ dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: 'https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/dist/topic-page.js?v=3.130.14' }); })(); </script> <script class="analytics-metadata" type="application/json"> {"leg":"B","adLeg":"B","userType":"ANONYMOUS","pageType":"Topic","pageSubtype":null,"articleTemplateType":"MEDIUM","gisted":false,"pageNumber":1,"hasSummarizeButton":false,"hasAskButton":false} </script> <script type="text/javascript"> EBStat={accountId:-1,hostnameOverride:'webstats.eb.com',domain:'www.britannica.com', json:''}; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> ( function() { $.ajax( { dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: '//www.britannica.com/webstats/mendelstats.js?v=1' } ) .done( function() { try {writeStat(null,EBStat);} catch(err){} } ); })(); </script> <div id="bc-fixed-dialogue"></div> </body> </html>

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Graphite | Properties, Uses, & Structure | Britannica