Allotropes

Question 1

What is an allotrope?

Answer 1

A different form of the same element in the same state

Question 2

What are 3 allotropes of carbon?

Answer 2

Graphite, buckyball and diamond

Question 3

What is the structure and properties of diamond?

Answer 3

3D lattice
Tetrahedral carbon atoms
No free electrons
High thermal conductivity

Question 4

What is the structure and properties of graphite?

Answer 4

Layers of covalently bonded carbons too 3 others
Weak dispersion forces between the layers
Soft due to the layers ability to slide over eachother
Good conductor
High melting point

Question 5

What is the structure and properties of fullerenes?

Answer 5

Spherical ‘cages’ of carbon
C60 is buckyball
Each carbon bonded to 3 others
Delocalised electron in each set of carbons
Soluble in non-polar solvents