Hey everyone,

 

I was just wondering if a piece of graphite that has 60 carbon atoms can form a closed polyherdral structure? I think that the key to answering the this is using eulers forumla but I dont know how to use it. this is as much I can do;

 

V + F = E + 2

 

60 C atoms divided by 5(for vertices of pentagon) will give 12 pentagons.

 

12 pentagons make 60 vertices. 5 hexagons can be linked to a petagon to give a closed structre and each heaxagon is then linked to 3 pentagons and three hexagons. I cant go further than this.

 

Any help much appreciated.

 

 

thanks.

Eulers formula is lost in time in my mind, but yes the result is possible I believe you want something like this:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bucky_ball#.22Buckyball.22

ok great, Thanks!