Correct Option
The correct option is 1 only
Explanation
Buckminsterfullerene ($C_{60}$) is an allotrope of carbon belonging to the fullerene family. Unlike diamond or graphite, which form extended networks, fullerenes are discrete molecules composed of carbon atoms arranged in a closed cage-like structure.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: Buckminsterfullerene consists of exactly 60 carbon atoms clustered together to form a spherical molecule. Its chemical formula is $C_{60}$.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The atoms in Buckminsterfullerene are not arranged in a flat lattice. Instead, they form a spherical, cage-like structure (resembling a soccer ball) known as a truncated icosahedron. This structure contains 20 hexagons and 12 pentagons. The flat hexagonal lattice structure describes graphite, not fullerenes.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: The molecule is named after the American architect R. Buckminster Fuller, because its shape resembles the geodesic domes he designed. It is not named after J.J. Thomson, the scientist who discovered the electron.
Key Takeaway
Buckminsterfullerene ($C_{60}$) is a spherical carbon allotrope with a cage-like structure composed of fused pentagonal and hexagonal rings, distinct from the planar sheets of graphite and the tetrahedral network of diamond.