Structure and bonding

Question 1

Explain why magnesium oxide has a high melting point.

Answer in term of structure and bonding.

Answer 1

Giant ionic lattice structure
with many strong bonds
which need lots of energy to break.

Question 2

Explain why graphite conducts electricity.

Answer in terms of the structure and bonding in graphite.

Answer 2

each carbon / atom forms 3 (covalent) bonds
one electron per carbon / atom is delocalised
these electrons move through the structure