Lunar Graphite

Scientists have been analyzing 3.8 billion year old Mare Serenitatis lunar samples brought back to Earth by astronauts in 1972. Raman spectroscopy of the sample allowed scientists to create an image of the minerals it contained. The scientists were surprised to find graphite and graphite whiskers, formed under very hot conditions between 1273K and 3900K. The graphite whiskers appeared to be a few microns in diameter and up to 10 microns long.
The scientists believe that the carbon they detected came either from the object that made the impact crater, or, that it condensed from the carbon-rich gas that was released during the impact.

Reference:
A. Steele, F. M. McCubbin, M. Fries, M. Glamoclija, L. Kater, and H. Nekvasil. Graphite in an Apollo 17 Impact Melt Breccia. Science, 2010; 329 (5987): 51 DOI: 10.1126/science.1190541

Study Questions:

1. Carbon is present on Earth in different forms. What is the term given to these different forms?
2. Name two different natural forms of carbon found on Earth.
3. In what ways are the two different forms of carbon named above similar?
4. In what ways are the two different forms of carbon named above different?
   
5. Name two different synthetic forms of carbon.
6. Give a use for each synthetic form of carbon named above.
7. Why do you think the scientists were surprised to find graphite in these lunar samples?