Monday, July 10, 2017

1.50: Explain How the Structures of Diamond, Graphite and C60 Fullerene Influence their Physical properties, Including Electrical Conductivity and Hardness



GIANT COVALENT STRUCTURE: Contains many Non-Metal atoms joined to adjacent atoms by Covalent Bonds, forming a Giant Lattice Structure
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DIAMOND

Diagram showing the Structure of Diamond
PROPERTIES:

  1. HARD
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  • Each Carbon atom is joined to four other Carbon atom to form a Giant Covalent Structure
  • Strong covalent bonds are difficult to break
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  1. HIGH MELTING POINT (SUBLIMATES)
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  • Giant Covalent Structure so there are many strong covalent bonds that need to be broken down
  • Large amounts of heat energy is therefore needed to overcome forces and break down bonds
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  1. DOES NOT CONDUCT ELECTRICITY
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  • All four valence Electrons are used in covalent bonds so there are no delocalised Electrons that are mobile to conduct electricity

USES:

  1. Cutting Tools

  1. Jewellery





GRAPHITE

Diagram showing the Structure of Graphite
PROPERTIES:

  1. SOFT AND SLIPPERY
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  • Forces of attraction between layers are weak so layers can easily slide over one another and be separated
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  1. HIGH MELTING (SUBLIMATES)
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  • Giant Covalent Structure so there are many strong covalent bonds that needs to be broken down
  • Large Amounts of heat energy is needed to overcome forces and break down bonds
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  1. CONDUCTS ELECTRICITY
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  • Only three valence Electrons are used in forming covalent bonds
  • Fourth Electron is delocalised and free to move between layers to conduct an electric charge

USES:

  1. Lubricant

  1. Electrodes for Electrolysis




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C60 FULLERENE

Diagram showing the Structure of C60 Fullerene
PROPERTIES:

  1. SOFT
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  • Each Carbon atom is joined to only three other Carbon atoms so has weak intermolecular forces of attraction between molecules
  • Bonds can be broken down easily making it soft
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  1. LOW MELTING AND BOILING POINT

  • Each Carbon atom is joined to only three other Carbon atoms so has weak intermolecular forces of attraction between molecules
  • Hence, only small amounts of heat energy is needed to overcome forces and break down bonds
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  1. CONDUCTS ELECTRICITY
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  • Only three valence Electrons are used in forming covalent bonds
  • Fourth electron is delocalised and free to move to conduct an electric charge

USES:

  1. Drug Delivery System in the Body (Nanotubes)

  1. Lubricant

  1. Catalyst

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8 comments:

  1. UnknownMay 14, 2018 at 10:09 PM

    Diamond sublimates: it doesn't have a boiling point and a melting point.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownMay 22, 2018 at 7:28 AM

    it says on bbc bitesize that fullerenes have high melting and boiling point due to their giant covalent structure? is this information valid

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownJanuary 6, 2019 at 11:12 AM

      I have just checked BBC bitesize and it says fullerenes do conduct electricity

      Delete
    2. AnonymousOctober 11, 2019 at 8:22 AM

      Fullerenes, well at least C60 Fullerene has a low melting and boiling point, does conduct electricity and is not a giant covalent structure.
      Giant covalent structure = truly giant, as in infinite number of atoms involved, however c60 fullerene has a limit, being 60 to 70 atoms and thus is not a giant covalent structure but a simple molecular structure-ish.
      Also know this is a year later but hey the next person might need it

      Delete
  3. UnknownMay 22, 2018 at 7:30 AM

    Can you ensure me that all the information up to this point is valid, because i have been using this is a revision tool and its working out for me so far up to now. and as the comment above mine says, diamond sublimates? please reply asap

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownJuly 3, 2020 at 10:49 AM

    I really thank you for the valuable info on this great subject and look forward to more great posts ECP

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownDecember 23, 2020 at 3:35 AM

    very nice

    ReplyDelete

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