Giant Covalent Properties

Question 1

What are the like bonds that hold giant covalent structures together

Answer 1

In giant covalent structures, all the atoms are bonded to each other by strong covalent bonds.

Question 2

Why are the boiling and melting points so high in giant covalent structures?

Answer 2

They have very high boiling and melting points as lots of energy is needed to break the covalent bonds between the atoms

Question 3

Do giant covalent structures conduct electricity?

Answer 3

They don’t contain charged particles, so the majority of giant covalent structures don’t conduct electricity, even when they are molten, apart from a few weird exceptions such as graphite.

Question 4

Why does graphite conduct electricity

Answer 4

The reason why graphite conducts electricity is because only 3 out of carbon’s 4 outer (valence) shell electrons are used in bonds, so each carbon atom has 1 electron that’s delocalised (free) and can move, so this is the reason why graphite conducts electricity and thermal energy.

Question 5

What are the main examples of giant covalent structures?

Answer 5

The main examples that you need to know are diamond and graphite which are both made of carbons atoms only, and silicon dioxide (silica).