Buckminsterfullerene (Buckyball)

Buckminsterfullerene, commonly known as a Buckyball, is a molecule composed of 60 carbon atoms arranged in a spherical shape, resembling a soccer ball. Its structure consists of 12 pentagons and 20 hexagons, forming a highly symmetrical, cage-like form. Discovered in 1985, it belongs to a class called fullerenes and exhibits unique properties like high stability, electrical conductivity, and resilience. Buckyballs are studied for potential uses in materials science, electronics, nanotechnology, and medicine due to their ability to interact with other molecules and withstand extreme conditions.