Which form of carbon was discovered by Robert F. Curl, Harold W. Kroto, and Richard E. Smalley in 1985?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
The correct answer is option 4 i.e. Fullerene.
The fullerene, a unique allotrope of carbon, was discovered in 1985 by Robert F. Curl, Harold W. Kroto, and Richard E. Smalley. This molecule, notably Buckminsterfullerene (C₆₀), resembles a soccer ball with its 60 carbon atoms arranged in pentagons and hexagons. Their groundbreaking work, which earned them the 1996 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, expanded the known forms of carbon beyond graphite and diamond, paving the way for advancements in nanotechnology and materials science.