C4.
2 Structure and Bonding Set 2
Explain why diamond is hard
Explain why graphite is softer than diamond
Explain why graphite can conduct electricity
Explain using its structure and bonding why
silicon dioxide is hard and has a high melting
point
What is a fullerene?
What is Buckminsterfullerene
What are carbon nanotubes and what are they
useful for
What is graphene?
Why is graphene strong?
• Giant covalent structure
• Each carbon bonded to 4 other carbons with
strong covalent bonds
• Each carbon only bonded to 3 other carbon atoms
(diamond is bonded to 4) so forms layers
• Weak intermolecular forces between the layers
• Each carbon bonded to 3 other carbon atoms
• Each atom has one delocalised electron
• Delocalised electrons move through the graphite
carrying the electric charge
• It is a giant covalent structure
• Each atom bonded to many atoms with strong
covalent bonds
• This means it is hard
• Lots of energy needed to break the strong bonds
so it has a high melting point
Molecules of carbon atoms with hollow shapes. Fullerenes
are based on hexagonal rings of carbon atoms (or ring
with 5 or 7)
The first fullerene to be discovered. It has 60 carbon atoms
and a spherical shape
Cylindrical fullerenes with high length to diameter ratios.
They are useful for nanotechnology, electronics and
materials
A single layer of graphite useful for electronics and
composites
• Each carbon is bonded to 3 other carbon with
strong covalent bonds
• Only one atom layer thick (so no weak
intermolecular forces)