Structure and bonding Flashcards
Electrostatic forces
Force between the oppositely charged particles
which causes covalent and ionic bonds to be strong.
Intermolecular forces
Force between each simple covalent molecule. When broken, doesn’t break the bonds but causes a change in state.
Ionic compounds - what melting + boiling points and why?
High
Because the oppositely charged ions are held together by strong electrostatic forces
It takes a lot of energy to break these forces between ions
So it has a high melting point so solid at room temperature
Ionic compounds - do they conduct electricity and why?
Only when dissolved in water or molten
Because it has a giant ionic lattice structure
When it is solid the ions are in a fixed place and cannot move
Therefore they cannot carry a charge
When melted or dissolved the ions are free to move
So they can therefore carry a charge
Why are covalent bonds strong?
Both the nucleus in each atoms (positive) is strongly attracted to the shared electrons in the outer shell (negative).
So electrostatic attraction
Simple molecules - what melting and boiling points and why?
Low
Because it has weak intermolecular forces
Little energy is needed to overcome these weak forces
So it has a low boiling point and is a gas at room temperature
Simple molecules - do they conduct electricity and why?
No
It has no delocalised electrons or ions
So has no particles to carry a charge
What is a giant covalent structure?
Millions of atoms joined together by covalent bonds that are arranged in a lattice shape.
Do giant covalent structures have high or low boiling/melting points? Why?
Very high
Because it has a giant covalent structure
With millions of covalent bonds between the many atoms
So a lot of energy is needed to overcome their strong covalent bonds
So has high melting/boiling point and a solid at room temperature
Metallic bonding
Bonding in metal elements due to sea of delocalised electrons moving
And the electrostatic attraction between the electrons and positive metal ions
Do metal bonds conduct electricity?
Yes
They have a giant metallic lattice structure
So has delocalised electrons
That can move through a structure carrying a charge
Do metal bonds have high or low melting/boiling points?
High
Have a giant metallic lattice structure
The positive metal ions are held together by delocalised electrons
This strong electrostatic attraction takes a lot of energy to overcome and pull the ions apart
So have a high melting point
Are metal bonds soft?
Yes, because the metal atoms are arranged in layers so when a force is applied they slide over each other
Alloy
Mixture of 2 or more elements, where at least one is a metal. Usually 2 metals in order to increase hardness of pure metals.
Why are alloys harder than pure metals?
Many different sized atoms due to multiple elements so greater force needed to make layers slide over each other
The layers are DISTORTED
What bonding forms giant structures?
All 3: giant ionic lattices, giant covalent structures and giant metallic structures
Polymer
A large molecule made up of many small units (monomers)
Are the bonds between atoms in a polymer weak or strong?
Strong because it’s joined by covalent bonds which are strong
What holds ionic compounds together?
Electrostatic forces
How can metals and graphite conduct electricity?
Because they both have delocalised electrons that can conduct heat
Fullerene
Molecules of carbon atoms with hollow shapes
Normally made out of hexagonal rings
Are ionic compounds molecules?
No because a molecules is 2 or more atoms held together by COVALENT bonds
What forms graphite?
Carbon atom covalently bonded to 3 other carbon atoms
In hexagonal rings
Then large rings are in layers with no bonds between
Properties of graphite
High melting and boiling point
Soft and slippery
Good conductor of heat and elec
Why does graphite have high melting and boiling points?
It takes a lot of energy to break covalent bonds
Why is graphite slippery?
The hexagonal rings the carbon atoms are in are in layers
No covalent bonds between the layers = they can slide
Therefore it’s slippery
Why is graphite good conductor of heat and elec?
Because the C atoms form 3 other singular covalent bonds
So has a spare electron that isn’t shared as carbon has 4 electrons in outer shell therefore there is one free electron
Which is released in the outer shell
To be delocalised and move between layers and conduct electricity
What makes up diamond?
4 carbon atoms covalently bonded with 4 other carbons
Millions of these