Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-chemistry-course-of-the-year-1-of-the-natural-sciences-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2021/paper-1/6/c/ii/solution

Potassium intercalates between graphite layers and donates electron density to the graphitic pi system. Occupation of formerly less populated electronic states raises the mobile-carrier density, increasing electrical conductivity under the stated comparison.
The gain is electronic doping of the carbon framework, rather than a claim that potassium strengthens every C-C bond or simply acts as a separate wire through the sample. Intercalation also changes layer separation and scattering, so conductivity depends on both carrier population and mobility.

New to topics? Read the docs here!