Carbon Allotropes Flashcards
allotrope
elements that exist with their atoms in many different structural formulas
why is carbon a versatile element
it is tetravalent, 4 valence electrons, many it can form up to 4 covalent bonds, including double and triple and single bonds
what are bonded carbons often form
the backbone of molecules such as sugars, fats, amino acids and proteins
what are the pure forms of carbons bonded together called
atomic lattices where each carbon atom is covalently bonded to a number of other carbon atoms
what are the atomic lattices of carbon
diamond, graphite and amorphous carbon
diamond structure
carbon atoms covalently bonded to four other carbon atoms, this results in a 3 dimensional covalent network lattice
Graphite structure
carbons atoms covalently bonded to three other carbons, this results in layers of hexagonal, two dimensional covalent lattices that are held together by dispersion forces, the unpaired electrons more throught the lattices
what are the non-bonding electrons called in graphite
they become delocalised which means graphite can conduct electricity
diamond propertiees
high melting point, hard, brittle, non electrical conductivity, high thermal conductivity and insoluble
why does diamond have a high melting point
a lot of energy is required to disrupt the covalent bonds of the lattices
why does diamond hard
it has a rigid 3D tetrahedral lattice which means when pressure is exherteed, it is reduced by spreading it around the tetrahedral structure
why does diamond brittle
the rigid lattice structure does not allow it to be bent, it will just break
why does diamond have no electrical conductivity
each carbon is a part of 4 single covalent bonds, meaning there are no free electrons
why does diamond have a high thermal conductivitty
the strong covalent bonds can absorb a lot of heat
why is diamond insoluble
the strengths of the covalent bonds cannot be overcome by the intermolecular forces of solvents like water
applications of diamonds
cutting tools, thermal conductor in electrical components, optical compenents, absahsive
why does diamond has the application of cutting tools
hardness reduces wera, enhances durability
why does diamond has the application of thermal conductor in electrical compooneenets
has a high thermal conductivity
why does diamond has the application of optical components
ability to transmit heat and light effectively
why does diamond has the application of abhrasion
can induce frictions without personal weear
graphite properties
high melting point, high thermal conductivity, high electrical conductivity, soft, slippery feeling, insoluble
why does graphite have a high melting point
a lot of energy is required to break the covelent bonds of the lattice
why does graphite have a high thermal conductivity
when heat is applied to the hexagonal lattice of covalently bonded carbons are able to vibrate about a very strong fixed position, passing on heat energy without the covalent bonds breaking
why does graphite have a high electrical conductivity
graphitte has delocalised electrons that are able to move through the structure, carrying electrical charge
why does graphite have a high soft, slippery feeling
layers are held together by dispersion forces so can slide over one another
why does graphite have a high insolubility
the strength of covalent bonds cannot be overcome by the intermolecular forces of solvents
graphite applications
carbon brushes in electrical motors, electrode in batteries, industrial lubricant
what makes graphite have the application of carbon brushes in motors
graphite is able to conduct electricity and therefore can transfer current from stationary wire to moving parts in electrical motors
what makes graphite have the application of electrode in batteries
graphite is an inert (unreactive) and electrically conductive materical
what makes graphite have the application of industrial lubricant
layers of graphite are able to slide over one another
amophorus carbon
irregular structure of carbon atoms, many variaties exist with many different non continuous packing arrangements
properties of amophorus carbon
conductive, non-crystalline, cheap
applications of amophorus carbon
printing ink, carbon black filler, activated charcoal, photocopying
sublimation point
the point at which a substance goes directly from the solid to gaseous phase without passing the liquid stage
types of amophorus carbon
charcoal, carbon black, soot
