Allotropes of caribe (Giant covalent bonds)

Question 1

Diamond structure

Answer 1

• Giant covalent structure in which each carbon atom is joined to four other carbon atoms by covalent bonds
• Carbon is covalently bonded because it’s a nonmetal
• Bonds are single because the decahedral arrangement of bonded carbon atoms is denser than alternatives
• Crystal-like structure
• Properties: hard, low coefficient of friction, high thermal conductivity, high electrical reactivity

Question 2

Graphite structure

Answer 2

• Each carbon atom is joined to three other carbon atoms by covalent bonds
• This is because there isn’t another plane of atoms over or below to bond with
• These atoms have layers
• Each carbon atom is arranged at the corners of a network of regular hexagons
• Properties: soft, high melting point, slippery (layers can slide past each other), weak intermolecular forces