C2.3

Question 1

Do you think buckminsterfullerene is a giant covalent structure or a molecule? Explain your answer

Answer 1

it’s a molecule, even though it’s large, it’s a finite size whereas with diamond (a covalent structure) you can keep adding more and more

Question 2

how do you think the melting point of a buckminsterfullerene would compare to graphite or diamond?

Answer 2

the melting point would be lower as you would only need to break the intermolecular forces

Question 3

do you think buckminsterfullerene would be flexible?

Answer 3

yes as the intermolecular forces can bend

Question 4

what are the allotropes of carbon?

Answer 4

-diamond
-graphite
-graphene
-buckminsterfullerene
-nanotubes

Question 5

what is the structure of diamond?

Answer 5

-every carbon atom is bonded to 4 other carbon atoms achieving a full outer shell
-it’s a giant covalent lattice made up of millions of carbon atoms bonded to each other

Question 6

what are the properties of diamond and why?

Answer 6

-very hard and has a high melting point because it’s structure consists of many strong covalent bonds which require a lot of energy to break
-brittle because the covalent bonds are rigid and can fracture easily
-does not conduct electricity and doesn’t dissolve in water

Question 7

what are the uses of diamond?

Answer 7

jewellery and drill bits

Question 8

what is the structure of graphite?

Answer 8

-every carbon atom is bonded to 3 other carbon atoms, leaving each carbon with an extra electron which isn’t used in bonding
-carbon atoms are arranged in flat sheets which stack in layers

Question 9

what are the properties of graphite and why?

Answer 9

-can conduct electricity because the unpaired electron becomes delocalised
-holding the layers together are weak forces which can easily be broken
-layers can slide over each other making the substance soft and slippery

Question 10

what are the uses of graphite?

Answer 10

pencils and lubricants (bicycle chain oil)

Question 11

describe the structure of graphene

Answer 11

single layer of graphene, one atom thick

Question 12

what are the properties of graphene and why?

Answer 12

-almost transparent
-extremely strong
-conducts electricity

Question 13

what is the name of one fullerene?

Answer 13

buckminsterfullerene

Question 14

what is the structure of fullerenes?

Answer 14

-shaped like balls or tubes

Question 15

what is the structure of buckminsterfullerene?

Answer 15

molecules are spherical and contain 60 carbon atoms

Question 16

what can buckminsterfullerene be used for?

Answer 16

-drug delivery in the body
-lubricants as the molecules act as tiny ball bearings

Question 17

what is the structure of nanotubes?

Answer 17

sheet of graphene rolled into a tube

Question 18

what are the properties of nanotubes?

Answer 18

very strong and lightweight

Question 19

what can nanotubes be used for?

Answer 19

sporting equipment

Question 20

what are the properties of buckminsterfullerene and nanotubes and why?

Answer 20

they can conduct electricity as each carbon atom is only covalently bonded to 3 others, leaving a spare electron from each carbon which is free to move