Giant covalent structures
3 marks · EasyDescribe the structure of diamond in terms of the arrangement of its carbon atoms.
Describe the structure of graphite in terms of the arrangement of its carbon atoms.
State the type of structure present in C60 fullerene.
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(a) Each carbon atom is bonded to four other carbons in a tetrahedral 3D arrangement. · must show Four covalent bonds per carbon, Tetrahedral/3D arrangement
(b) Carbon atoms are arranged in layers; each is bonded to three others in hexagonal sheets. · must show Three covalent bonds per carbon, Arranged in layers/sheets
(c) Simple molecular structure · must show Simple molecular, Molecule
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Marking points
B1 (a) · 1 mark · Describes diamond as having each C atom bonded covalently to four other C atoms in a tetrahedral structure.
B1 (b) · 1 mark · Describes graphite as having carbon atoms in layers, each bonded to three others in hexagonal sheets.
B1 (c) · 1 mark · States C60 fullerene has a simple molecular structure.
Worked solution
(a) In diamond, each carbon atom is bonded to four other carbons in a tetrahedral 3D arrangement.
(b) In graphite, carbon atoms are arranged in layers; each is bonded to three others in hexagonal sheets.
(c) C60 fullerene has a simple molecular structure.