4.2.3 - Allotropes Of Carbon

Question 1

Describe the structure of diamond?

Answer 1

Each carbon atom is covalently bonded to 4 other carbons. Diamond is hard and has high melting points because the forces require a lot of energy to overcome and so are solid at room temperature. They don’t conduct electricity because they have no charged particles.

Question 2

Describe the structure of graphite

Answer 2

Each carbon atom forms 3 covalent bonds with 3 other carbon atoms. Forming layers of hexagonal rings which have no covalent bonds between the layers. In graphite one electron from each carbon atom is delocalised which allow it to conduct electricity. It is solid at room temperature which require lots of energy to overcome the bonds. It is soft and slippery due to weak intermolecular forces between the layers.

Question 3

What is graphene?

Answer 3

Single layer of graphite and has properties that make it useful in e,ectronjcs and composites.

Question 4

Describe a fullerene?

Answer 4

Molecules of carbon atoms with hollow shapes. The structure of fullerenes is based on hexagonal rings of carbon atoms as 3 carbons are covalent,y bonded to 3 other carbons. The first fullerene to be discovered was buckministerfullerene. Which has a spherical shape.

Question 5

What are carbon nanotubes?

Answer 5

Cylindrical fullerene, high length to diameter ratios. Make them useful for nanotechnologies, electronics and materials

Question 6

Describe nano particles?

Answer 6

As the size of the cube decreases by a factor of 10 surface are to volume ratio increases by a factor of 10
Nano particles have properties different from those in bulk because of their high surface area to volume ratio. Smaller quantities are needed to be effective then for materials with normal prices.

Question 7

What are nano particles used for?

Answer 7

Medicine, electronics, cosmetics and sun creams.