Covalent Substances: Giant Covalent

Question 1

Giant covalent structures are…

Answer 1

Macromolecules

Question 2

What is the difference between Giant covalent structures and Giant ionic structures?

Answer 2

They are similar but covalent ones have no charged ions

Question 3

All the atoms in Giant covalent structures are bonded to each other by …?

Answer 3

Strong covalent bonds`

Question 4

Do Giant covalent structures have high/low melting/boiling points?

Answer 4

Very High

Question 5

Do they conduct electricity?

Answer 5

No

Question 6

Which Giant covalent structures does conduct electricity?

Answer 6

Graphite

Question 7

Describe Diamond as a Giant covalent structure

Answer 7

1) Each carbon atom forms 4 covalent bonds in a very rigid Giant covalent structure
2) This makes diamond the hardest natural substance
3) it’s pretty and sparkly

Question 8

Which 3 Giant covalent structures do I need to know?

Answer 8

Diamond, Graphite and Silica

Question 9

Describe the carbon arrangement in graphite. Talk about layers.

Answer 9

Each carbon atoms forms 3 covalent bonds. This creates layers which are free to slide over each other - so graphite is soft and slippery. The layers are held together so loosely that they can be rubbed off onto paper - how a pencil works. Weak intermolecular forces between layers.

Question 10

Can graphite conduct electricity? Why? / Why not?

Answer 10

Only non-metal which is a good conductor of heat and electricity. Each carbon atom has 1 delocalised electron.

Question 11

What is silicon dioxide’s common name?

Answer 11

Silica

Question 12

What is made of silica?

Answer 12

Sand - each grain of sand is 1 giant structure of silicon and oxygen