graphite
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graphite
A soft, gray-black form of carbon that occurs as a mineral. It is mainly used for pencil leads and as a lubricant.
Die Mine dieses Bleistifts besteht aus einem Gemisch aus Graphit und Ton.
The lead of this pencil consists of a mixture of graphite and clay.
The name 'Graphit' (graphite) comes from the Ancient Greek word 'gráphein', which means 'to write'. So the name refers directly to its best-known use in pencil leads.
Schon die alten Griechen wussten, wie man mit bestimmten Mineralien schreiben kann.
Even the ancient Greeks knew how to write with certain minerals.
'Graphit' (graphite) is a technical term from chemistry and materials science. In everyday life, the word is usually only used when talking specifically about the composition of pencils.
Im Chemieunterricht haben wir die Eigenschaften von Graphit besprochen.
In chemistry class, we discussed the properties of graphite.
Common combinations describe the function or composition. Typical phrases are 'eine Mine aus Graphit' (a lead made of graphite), 'aus Graphit bestehen' (to consist of graphite), or 'Graphit als Schmiermittel verwenden' (to use graphite as a lubricant).
Moderne Bleistiftminen bestehen aus einem Gemisch von Graphit und Ton.
Modern pencil leads consist of a mixture of graphite and clay.
coal
'die Kohle' and 'der Graphit' can be confused because both are dark and connected to carbon. Even so, 'Kohle' normally means a combustible raw material that can be used to generate energy or for heating. 'Graphit' is a soft gray-black mineral and is found in pencil leads, for example. So they are not the same material and do not have the same use. For heating or energy, you say 'Kohle'; for pencils or the mineral, you say 'Graphit'.
In der Bleistiftmine ist Graphit, kein echtes Blei.
There is graphite in a pencil lead, not real lead.
Früher wurde das Haus im Winter mit Kohle geheizt.
In the past, the house was heated with coal in winter.