Polymers, Giant Covalent And Carbon (P1) Flashcards
Polymers
Long chains of repeating units joined by strong covalent bonds
The formula is the unit in brackets with an n outside
Intermolecular forces stronger so more energy to break down, solid at room temp
Still lower boiling and melting than ionic or giant molecular
Giant covalent structures
All of the atoms bonded together by strong covalent bonds
Very high boiling and melting points, many bonds
Don’t conduct- no charged particles
Macromolecules
Diamond
Each carbon atom forms four covalent bonds in a very rigid giant covalent structure
Graphite
Each carbon atom forms 3 covalent bonds to create layers of hexagons. Each has one delocalised electron to move between the layers of the substance
Silicon dioxide
What sand is made of, each grain one gian5 structure
Diamond properties
Each carbon atom forms 4 covalent bonds, really hard
Take a lot of energy to break, very high melting point
No free electrons to conduct electricity
Graphite properties
Each carbon atom forms 3 covalent bonds in sheets of carbon atoms arranged in hexagons
Aren’t any covalent bonds between layers, weakly held together, can slide over each other,soft and slippery, good lubricant
High melting point
Graphene
One layer of graphite
Very strong, incredibly light, added to composite materials to become stronger but hardly heavier
Delocalised electrons can conduct electricity through the whole structure
Fullerenes
Molecules of carbon
Made up carbon atoms mainly in hexagons but some pentagons or heptagons
Can cage other molecules e.g. deliver a drug to the body
Huge surface area, industrial catalysts, great lubricants
Buckminsterfullerenes
Hollow sphere
Molecular formula C60
Nanotubes
Tiny carbon cylinders formed by fullerenes
Length to diameter ratio very high
Conduct electricity and thermal energy
High tensile strength (not broke when stretched)
Strengthen materials, little added weight e.g. tennis racket frames
