Anaglyphs: Graphite in 3D

This image is an anaglyph in which a stereo image pair is combined into a single image using colour to separate the two views. To see the 3D stereo effect, you will need to use red green colour filter glasses (red for your left eye and green for your right eye). Such glasses can be obtained from your optometrist or specialty supplier. It is worth obtaining high quality anaglyphic glasses to achieve the best possible sense of depth. Cheap filters can often be found in novelty 3-D books. SEE HOW ANAGLYPHS ARE MADE.

Graphite: hexagonally arranged carbon atoms arrayed in parallel sheets. These individual sheets (known as graphene) are shown encased in blocks for clarity. The bottom layer has been extended out to the right to clearly show the hexagonal arrangement of the carbon atoms. Alternate sheets are out of phase with each other so that a carbon atom in one sheet lies in line with the hole at the centre of the hexagonal rings above and below. This is illustrated in two ways:

1. A hexagonal column runs through all four layers. The top layer has a carbon atom at its centre. In the next layer, the column is centred on the hole in the middle of a hexagonal carbon ring.

2. The boxes that partially encase the four layers are alternately staggered.

Graphene sheets can slide across each other (helped by contaminants) giving graphite its lubricating and writing properties. Electrons can travel along the strata making graphite an electrical conductor in a direction parallel with the plates.