Giant covalent structures

Covalent bond

A bond formed when atoms share electrons to achieve a full outer shell of electrons. Occurs between non-metals.

Polymer

A long chain molecule made up of lots of repeating units called monomers.

Giant covalent molecules are held together by ____ covalent bonds

Strong

If you broke one covalent bond in a giant covalent structure, would it affect it?

No

Most giant covalent structures are

Insulators

Why are most giant covalent structures insulators?

Because there are no delocalised electrons

Which giant covalent structure has delocalised electrons and can conduct?

Graphite

The _______ ____ between polymer (giant covalent structure) molecules are strong compared to small molecules.

Intermolecular forces

The three main giant covalent structures

Silicon dioxide, diamond, graphite

Silicon dioxide is the main compound found in

Sand

For every one silicon atom, there are

2 oxygen

Diamond and graphite are different forms of which element?

Carbon

In diamond, each carbon atom is joined to

4 other carbon atoms

The structure of the atoms in diamond is known as a

Regular tetrahedral structure

Give 2 uses of diamond

• cutting tools such as oil rig drills.

• diamonds-tipped glass cutters

• Jewellery

Can diamond conduct electricity?

No

Can graphite conduct electricity?

Yes

Each carbon atom in graphite forms

3 covalent bonds with other carbon atoms

The atoms in graphite form layers of

Hexagonal rings

In graphite, there are no chic covalent bonds between

Layers

Graphite can be used for

• batteries

• Electrodes

The layers in graphite can

Slide Over eachother

The layers in graphite slide over eachother because

• between the layers there are only weak intermolecular forces (called van der Waals forces) and no strong covalent bonds

Each atom in graphite has one delocalised electron