C3.7 Giant covalent structures Flashcards
What are the 3 types of giant covalent structures?
➢ Diamond
➢ Graphite
➢ Graphene
What are some properties of giant covalent strucutures?
➢ High melting and boiling points
➢ Insoluble in water
➢ They do not conduct electricity apart from graphite
What are the arrangements of carbon atoms in graphite?
➢ Hexagons which are arranged in layers
➢ No covalent bonds between layers
Why can graphite layers slide over one another?
➢ Due to weak intermolecular forces
➢ Makes graphite a soft material
Why can graphite conduct electricity?
➢ Carbon atoms from three strong covalent bonds
➢ Leaving one delocalised electron
➢ They can carry a charge
Why can diamond not conduct electricity?
➢ Because there are no delocalised electrons