Graphite

Question 1

What is the structure like of graphite

Answer 1

• each of the carbon atoms only forms 3 covalent bonds, creating sheets of carbon atoms arranged in hexagons
• because only 3 out of each carbon’s 4 outer electrons are used in the bonds, each carbon atom has 1 electron that’s delocalised and can move
• there aren’t any covalent bonds between the layers — they’re only held together weakly, so they’re free to move over each other. This makes graphite soft and slippery, so it’s ideal as a lubricating material

Question 2

Properties of graphite

Answer 2

• soft and slippery
  -opaque
  -insoluble in water
  -high melting point (requires lots of energy to break the strong covalent bonds and separate the carbon atoms)
• Conducts electricity ( loosely bonded delocalised electron can move and carry current)

Question 3

What is graphene

Answer 3

Graphene is a sheet of C atoms joined together in hexagons

Question 4

How thick is graphene

Answer 4

1 atom, this makes it a two-dimensional substance

Question 5

Is graphene strong?

Answer 5

• yes, because of it’s network of covalent bonds
• it’s also incredibly light, so can be added to composite materials to improve their strength without adding much weight

Question 6

Can graphene conduct

Answer 6

Yes - it contains a delocalised electron so can conduct electricity through the whole structure
—> it has potential to be used in electronics