How many carbon atoms are contained in one square centimeter...

How many carbon atoms are contained in one square centimeter of graphene? (See the Chemistry in Action essay "Buckyball, Anyone?" in Section 10.8 for a description of graphene.) What would be the mass of a $1-\mathrm{cm}^{2}$ section of graphene?

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Key Concepts

Graphene Atomic Structure

Graphene is a one-atom-thick sheet of carbon atoms arranged in a two-dimensional honeycomb lattice. This unique structure is responsible for graphene's remarkable mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties, and it defines how the atoms are spatially packed in the material.

Unit Cell and Surface Density Calculations

Graphene’s hexagonal lattice can be divided into repeating unit cells, each containing a specific number of carbon atoms. By determining the area of the unit cell and knowing the number of atoms it contains, one can calculate the surface density—the number of atoms per square centimeter—which is essential for extrapolating atomic counts over larger areas.

Avogadro’s Number and Atomic Mass Conversion

Avogadro’s number allows the conversion from individual atomic counts to moles, linking microscopic quantities to macroscopic mass measurements through the atomic mass of carbon. This relationship is key to determining the total mass of a graphene sample from the estimated number of carbon atoms present in a given area.

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