Structure and Bonding of Carbon

Question 1

What are giant covalent structures?

Answer 1

Giant covalent structures have huge networks of covalently bonded atoms. The atoms are arranged in a giant lattice.

Question 2

What are the properties of giant covalent structures?

Answer 2

They have high boiling points due to the many, strong covalent bonds which need to be broken.
They do not conduct electricity as they have no delocalised electrons- except graphite.

Question 3

What is the structure of diamond?

Answer 3

Each carbon atom forms four covalent bonds in a very rigid giant covalent structure.

Question 4

What are the properties of diamond?

Answer 4

High melting point, hardest substance known to man (due to the rigid structure with many covalent bonds), does not conduct electricity.

Question 5

Uses of diamond

Answer 5

Drill tips

Question 6

What is the structure of graphite?

Answer 6

Each carbon atom forms three covalent bonds to create layers of hexagons. Each carbon atom also has one delocalised electron.

Question 7

Why is graphite soft?

Answer 7

Because the carbon atoms are bonded together in flat layers and the layers can slide over each other due to the weak inter-molecular forces between the layers.

Question 8

Why can graphite conduct electricity?

Answer 8

One of the electrons on each carbon atom is not used in bonding so it is delocalised and able to conduct electricity.

Question 9

Uses of graphite

Answer 9

Pencils, lubricants, electrodes

Question 10

What is graphene?

Answer 10

A single layer of graphite

Question 11

What are the properties of graphene?

Answer 11

It is 1 atom thin so it is semi transparent.
It is strong due its giant covalent structure.
It is a thermal and electrical conductor due to its delocalised electrons.

Question 12

What are the uses of graphene?

Answer 12

Electronic displays and composite materials such as carbon fibres

Question 13

What are fullerenes?

Answer 13

Families of carbon atoms linked in rings to from a hollow sphere or tube.

Question 14

What is buckminsterfullerene?

Answer 14

Consists of 60 carbon atoms
The atoms are joined together in a series of hexagons and pentagons.
It has a simple molecular structure.

Question 15

What are the uses of fullerenes?

Answer 15

Pharmaceutical delivery (Drugs are carried in the hollow centre of the molecule)
Lubricants (The spherical molecules can roll past each other)
Catalysts

Question 16

What are carbon nano tubes?

Answer 16

Carbon Nano tubes are a group of fullerenes that are shaped into long cylinders, they are made of rings formed from six carbon atoms

Question 17

What is special about Nano tubes?

Answer 17

They have very high length to diameter ratios

Question 18

What are the properties of carbon Nano tubes?

Answer 18

Carbon Nano tubes have high tensile strength because of the strong covalent bonds.
They are good conductors of heat and electricity due to the presence of delocalised electrons.

Question 19

What are the uses of carbon nanotubes?

Answer 19

Strengthening objects such as tennis rackets and golf clubs