The common element in graphite, fullerene, diamond and graphene is :

The common element in graphite, fullerene, diamond and graphene is :

Oxygen
Nitrogen
Hydrogen
Carbon
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2023
Graphite, fullerene, diamond, and graphene are all different structural forms of the element carbon. They are known as allotropes of carbon. Diamond has a tetrahedral structure, graphite has a layered hexagonal structure, fullerenes are cage-like molecules (e.g., C60), and graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice. Therefore, the common element in all of them is carbon.
Allotropes are different structural modifications of an element; the atoms are bonded together in a different manner. Diamond, graphite, fullerenes, and graphene are allotropes of carbon.
The different structures of carbon allotropes result in vastly different physical and chemical properties. For instance, diamond is extremely hard and an electrical insulator, while graphite is soft and a good electrical conductor.